Thursday, 11 February 2010
- Mr. Prime Minister, some news agencies came up with different interpretations about your alleged statement of being the prime minister of 3 million people, considering the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Has your statement been taken out of context, or this is just what you meant?
- Thank you for the question. I have repeatedly evoked this issue in media inclusive of my personal blog. Unfortunately, some people continue speculating over it.
I declare once again that I am responsible for any particle and individual of the Armenian world, whether in general or in particular. How can we put forward the idea of the Armenian world and, at the same time, refrain from assuming responsibility for all Armenians who are part of that world?
- Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan often makes political statements and refers to Armenian-Turkish relations. Don’t you feel that, first of all, the Armenian society looks forward to hearing your own comments as the Prime Minister of Armenia?
-Since the very first days of independence, Armenia has stated its willingness to establish relations with Turkey. This approach of ours has not changed ever since and is well known both at home and abroad, inclusive of our Turkish partners.
Many seem reluctant to accept the rationale behind the estimates of Armenian-Turkish relationship, and it is not that surprising. We have numerous problems due to the Genocide, but if we are for a change, we must eye the future. We should develop such strategies as would lead us to victories in future. This strategy has been made public by the President of the Republic implying establishment of modern-type civilized relations with our neighbors Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Addressing yesterday his Turkish counterpart, President Sargsyan stated in part: “You may agree that the authorities on either side bear the bulk of responsibility for breaking down the blueprints opposing the Armenian and Turkish peoples and forging an atmosphere of mutual confidence. Success will not come round unless we have a deep trust in our undertakings, a strong determination and principled approaches.”
The establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey is in the best interest of the Armenian people and the Armenian world. The Republic of Armenia is the driving force behind the Armenian world, and we can only survive as a nation if we have a powerful and strong Republic of Armenia. We have a number of important tasks to address, but we must set certain priorities.
The recognition of the genocide is a major task for our nation because we the Armenians have always been keen on justice. The Armenian people cannot put up with injustice. Not only did Turkey and the Turks, but also the whole international community treat us unfairly with the latter having turned a blind eye to the fact of genocide. We will have to make huge efforts toward genocide recognition by different States. It is unfair that the genocide is not recognized as yet, but I am convinced that it will be recognized inclusive of Turkey. It is inevitable.
- How do you take the statements that your Turkish counterpart makes from time to time?
- Calmly.
- Coming back to economic agenda, let me notice that the comments of some international institutions on Armenia’s economics seem to be somewhat disappointing. Moreover, they have stated a 14% fall. When do you think we shall be able to reinstate the economy to its pre-crisis status?
- In general, our estimate is as follows: we have been witnessing signs of recovery since September, with the per-sector macroeconomic analysis indicating that we usher in the stage of recovery. This will allow us to end up the year with a 14.4% fall against the 18.4% downturn recorded earlier. This is much better than what was predicted by the international organizations.
Both import-export and turnover indices testify to economic recovery. We can also state that despite the fall, trade turnover was up in 2009 thanks to expansionary policy. Retail trade has increased which is somewhat strange considering our citizens’ tendency to moderation in costly acquisitions. The only explanation is that they did not put a check on recurrent expenses. Moreover, we have a slight increase in retail turnover as compared to last year, which testifies once again that the economy has resumed since the second half-year of 2009. We can forecast today a 1.2% growth in 2010.
- From time to time, you have been sending calls for fighting oligopolies in the country. In the meantime, your opponents note that the oligarchs and the oligopolies have strengthened instead. Your comment, please.
- Thank you. First of all, let us differentiate the following two notions: oligarch and oligopoly. In a number of areas, we have oligopolies and not oligarchs that is the market participants are present while fair pricing mechanisms are absent leading to tough market behavior. This is quite a different problem, and we are fighting against oligopolies and not the oligarchs.
Secondly, the fight against oligopolies is the option of our political team rather than that of Tigran Sargsyan.
- And the last question. Mr. Prime Minister, you are blamed for sowing discord into the SDHP. How do you feel about these allegations?
- I am blamed not only for sowing discord into the SDHP, but also into the RAK. Frankly speaking, I feel no shortage of “accusations” like this. I think my opponents are overestimating my aptitudes. Our traditional parties have a good record of standing the test of time and are sufficiently well poised today in this respect.
In my capacity of Prime Minister, I have met with the Secretary General of the SDHP. It is my duty ex-officio to meet with the leaders of our traditional parties from time to time irrespective of differences in views.
