Serzh Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan fail a dialogue attempt

After a five-minute meeting, Serzh Sargsyan, Armenian Prime Minister, accused Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition leader, of blackmail and made him responsible for the consequences of his ultimatum on Sargsyan's resignation. In response, Nikol Pashinyan has called on his supporters to intensify protests.

The meeting of Serzh Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan in the Marriot Hotel was scheduled for 10:00 a.m. local time.

Dozens of journalists were present at the meeting. Serzh Sargsyan said that "he was happy that Pashinyan agreed to a meeting," but "does not fully understand what can be discussed in the presence of 50 journalists." In response, Mr Pashinyan stressed that he was going to discuss only the issue of Sargsyan's resignation from the post of Prime Minister.

"It's not a dialogue, and not negotiations, it's an ultimatum and blackmail of the state, of legitimate authorities. If you've decided to speak to me in such a tone, then I have to advise you once again to get into the legal sphere, otherwise all the responsibility is on you," said Serzh Sargsyan.

In his turn, Nikol Pashinyan noted the threatening tone of the Prime Minister. "You don't understand the situation in the country; it's not like it was 15-20 days ago. The situation in Armenia has changed; you have no power; the power has passed to the people," said Pashinyan.

After this statement, Serzh Sargsyan said that he "has no desire to continue the discussion. The faction that won 7-8% of votes at elections has no right to peak on behalf of people," and Serzh Sargsyan left the room, where the meeting was held.

After the meeting with Serzh Sargsyan, Nikol Pashinyan urged people to continue protest actions.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.