Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Interview of the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan to "Noev Covcheg"
- Mr. Premier, how would you comment on Serzh Sargsyan’s speech at the 13th Congress of the Republican Party and what is the highlight of his speech?
- Serzh Sargsyan’s speech can be characterized as a multifaceted statement. The Republican Party is the ruling party, and Mr Sargsyan in his keynote speech at the 13th Congress responded to all major issues both as the leader of the Republican Party and as the President of Armenia, and as a person mindful the fate of his country. He outlined the most important thing: the ideological platform, those basic values to which the Republican Party remains committed.
The Republican Party is a conservative party, whose leaders first began to fight for the ideals of freedom and independence in the Soviet era. The members of our party are keen on ideals, principles and traditions unlike many organizations representing pre-election political projects without past and future. It is no secret that our country has not yet overcome the gap between the stated and actual values. And this gap is a major obstacle to the formation of a civilized Armenian society of XXI century
And this promise was laid out in the report of the President, on the basis of which we will continue with the ongoing reforms.
- Today the opposition often sounds discontent with “the ruling regime.” And even in such a serious statement made by the head of state and the chairman of the ruling party they can see “weaknesses.” How well do you think this logic is grounded?
- If you are asking me whether it was logical for our opponents to criticize the speech not at the program level but at the level of distorted realities, then it seems to be illogical, but it is much easier. Those who are satisfied at making such insinuations have one primary goal, namely to discredit with no respect shown to themselves, nor to the President.
The president made several key statements in his speech, revealing new principles of development that can radically change our history. But, unfortunately, some would-be critics do not want to discuss the fundamental thesis, which is difficult to disagree.
- During the Russian elections similar slogans were announced by the Russian opposition with regard to the “United Russia.” Is that a “children's disease of leftism” inherent in post-Soviet oppositions?
- The “leftism” of some of our opponents is due to the fact that they have no chance to come to power. This is why they resort to populism in order to build up electoral capital and attract votes.
We are leading the party and conduct an honest conversation with our voters, explaining the situation, discussing the thesis of our election program. Methods of some opposition parties appear in the primitive formula which they use in their struggle for power - to show the enemies and give populist promises.
But we deeply believe in the wisdom of the Armenian people and the ability to distinguish the fake, without succumbing to bribery, and we are sure that every Armenian would vote for the future of their children and grandchildren. And God forbid that the future comes in the hands of those who have no experience, no professionals, no understanding of how and what to do.
- By the way, are there many similarities in the programs of the Republican Party of Armenia and “United Russia?”
- I think so. First of all, the problems are very similar. A second objective factor is that both of them are ruling parties, which involves more responsibility, discipline and sustained ideological basis.
- Tigran Surenovich, different sources vary in their forecast of parliamentary elections, but if thinking logically, the majority of Armenian citizens should prefer the Republicans, for the reason that there is stability. However, what are the problems to come to the foreground?
- Stability is above all a pledge of safety for the Armenian nation. The geopolitical situation in the region calls for a stronger focus on national security, including the stability in foreign policy, the combat readiness of our army, the formation of strategic stocks, the smooth operation of all transport corridors.
Over the last five years, most of our efforts were aimed at solving these problems by adding to it and overcoming the effects of the global financial crisis.
Today, the main issue on the political agenda is not solving the problems of the State as a whole but of each individual citizen. This, in turn, means creating equal opportunities for our citizens and for those who choose Armenia to implement their ideas and projects.
This means implementing reforms aimed at the creation of skilled jobs and better living conditions in the countryside, providing broader access to education and healthcare for poor families, as well as many other important issues. Everyone may seem to know what to do. Our advantage lies in the fact that we do know how to do that. Each program thesis implies a specific mechanism for its implementation.
“We have no right to miss the train or the plane of history,” great Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak used to say in his time. And it is not by accident that these words crowned the speech of the President. We have very little time and a lot of work and we must not be late!
Sergei Petrosyants, specially for NC
