Robert Kocharian Quotes

A collection of quotes by Robert Kocharian.

Robert Kocharian is a former Armenian politician who served as the second President of Armenia from 1998 to 2008. Born on August 31, 1954, in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, he grew up during the Soviet era and later pursued higher education in engineering.

Kocharian's political journey began in the late 1980s when he became involved in regional politics. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he played a prominent role in advocating for self-determination for Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic Armenian region within Azerbaijan. This conflict eventually escalated into a full-scale war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In 1998, Kocharian was elected as the President of Armenia. During his presidency, he focused on stabilizing the country economically and politically. He implemented various reforms, attracting foreign investment and promoting infrastructure development. However, his tenure also faced criticism for economic inequalities, corruption allegations, and restrictions on media freedom.

Kocharian's presidency was marked by the 2003 Armenian presidential elections, which sparked widespread protests known as the "Rose Revolution." Amidst allegations of election fraud, he declared a state of emergency and cracked down on the protesters. After serving two terms, Kocharian stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Serzh Sargsyan.

Following his presidency, Kocharian faced several legal challenges. He was arrested in 2018 on charges related to the post-election violence during the 2008 protests, but these charges were later dropped in 2021. However, he remains a controversial figure in Armenian politics, with a mixed legacy among the Armenian population.