Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Russian President's state visit to Armenia on December 2 had memorable milestones such as anti-Russian mood, emergency situation, and ban on funeral.

Vladimir Putin's visit started not from the capital -Yerevan, but from Gyumri, the city that hosts the 102nd Russian military base. That day even funerals were banned in Gyumri and people were not allowed to approach the places that were supposed to be visited by the Russian leader. Putin left Gyumri for Yerevan to attend other events as part of his state visit to Armenia.

In Yerevan, Putin had talks with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on the development of bilateral strategic partnership, trade and economic relations, humanitarian cooperation, and the prospect of Armenia's accession to the Customs Union and Common Economic Space. Talks were held on the background of protest rallies on the main streets of Yerevan and an emergency situation at one of the capital's subway stations.

About 500 people marched through Yerevan to denounce the Russian president and protest against plans to join a Moscow-led Customs Union. While the police suppressed the protests and arrested hundreds of protestors, scuffles broke out between the two sides, Armenian media reported.

On the day of Putin's visit, one of Yerevan's subway stations located opposite the Armenian presidential palace was closed. The Ministry of Emergency Situations said an explosive device was found at the station, but the report was proved to be false later.

The Russian leader's state visit to Armenia showed that protests against the authorities' plans to join a Moscow-led customs union will be in vain, as Armenia's entrance to the union is an irreversible process. As Russian leader stated, he sees Armenia as a full-fledged member of the CU. "Membership in the Customs Union is profitable for Armenia. This is the choice of the Armenian authorities and the nation and we are ready to contribute to the policy adopted by the Armenian side in every possible way."

President of Armenia Serj Sargsyan stated after talks with his Russian counterpart that Armenia intends to take steps for an early entry into the Customs Union.

Now the anti-Russian wave was subsided in Armenia, but the authorities face protests against social reforms. Members of Armenian social and youth organizations are protesting against pension reforms with the slogans "STOP - funded pensions" and "NO - state rubbery". Protestors call for canceling a new Funded Pensions Act, which will come into force on January 1, 2014.This law commits a mandatory allocation of a sum in the amount of 5 percent of monthly salary to accumulative pension funds. They held a protest in front of the president's residence, and submitted a letter that stated their demands. Hundreds of people attended the rally, saying their campaign will continue.

The protests witnessed in Armenian society shows that Armenians are dissatisfied not only with the state's economic policy, but also with the social policy. The society suffers from the thoughtless policies of Armenian government. Research-based, global performance-management consulting company Gallup confirms that Armenians are dissatisfied with their current and future lives. The company's recent survey showed that Armenia is on the top of the global suffering list - thirty-seven percent of Armenians were suffering in 2012, Gallup reported.

The latest developments in Armenia confirm that people will continue to suffer as Armenian authorities keep their eyes closed to the social and economic suffering in the society.