Policy Roundtables on the Most Current Developments of 2008

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) and the National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) jointly have convened seminars, roundtables, forums, and public hearings on key issues of societal concern. These events have brought together MPs, public and political figures, foreign embassy and mission personnel, policy specialists, NGO and think tank representatives, independent analysts, ordinary citizens, and members of the press.

The array of policy discussions has included topics of utmost importance for Armenia and the region, alike. The discussions have considered the domestic political situation in Armenia after the 2008 presidential elections; the implementation of PACE resolutions; the major concerns of the Armenian state; the precedent of Kosovo’s independence; the projected NATO membership of Georgia; the Russian-Georgian conflict; the European integration policy of Armenia; the boundary issue of Armenia; the prospects of Armenian-Turkish and Armenian-Russian relations; the new developments concerning the Artsakh question; and the global economic crisis and its impact on Armenia’s economy.

The roundtable discussions specifically have looked at the new settlement phase of the Karabagh problem; the talk’s process; the question of Artsakh’s recognition; the parallels between Artsakh and Kosovo; the comparison of precedents and double standards; the position of Armenia with respect to the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia; the livening up of Armenian-Turkish relations; the necessity and consequence of the opening of borders; the issue of Armenia’s boundaries defined by international law and the need to raise this issue; the Armenian-Russian correlations in the domains of security and economy; the regional security and cooperation; the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership; and the expected NATO accession of Georgia and relevant regional changes.

The roundtables have placed the greatest import on Armenia’s democratization, its foreign and internal security, and the affects of the global economic emergency. These seminars also have examined Armenia’s domestic political matters and their dependence on the Russian factor, the European response to Armenia’s electoral processes, and Armenia’s policy of and priority measures toward European integration.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian, and supported by the Lincy Foundation and a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global environment. In 2005, the Center focuses primarily on public outreach, civic education, and applied research on critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.

For further information on the Center and its activities, call (3741) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am