According to Edward Sharmazanov, the establishment makes systemic reforms
– There has been no change of power or resignation for quite a long time, actually a very interesting situation has occurred, the establishment is directing the internal political actions – what is the purpose of that?
– It is not a secret that the establishment is a living organism and it is important for any establishment that there are changes. As you probably remember, during the event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Serzh Sargsyan, the president of the country, stated that changes are very important for the present globalizing world and if one desires to remain stable and strong in this rapidly changing world, he must be ready for changes. However, the most importantly these changes are not an end in themselves. We take that path – any change has its clear purpose to continue systemic reforms. Number one goal for ourselves nowadays is to organize democratic, fair and transparent elections. True, we have longed for it in the past too, but today both the expectations of the people and the expectations of the international community are very big and we should long for an unprecedented electoral procedure. Certainly, the lion’s share of responsibility is on the ruling party and we cannot evade that responsibility. Both President Sargsyan and the Republican Party perceive politics as responsibility. Certainly, not only the Republican Party can solve problems, there is the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), in the end, there is opposition and other political forces that must be guided by that principle – in case of any results of the elections, we should long for a more powerful and more democratic Armenia.
– Azerbaijan has become more active recently, according to some analysts the snipers’ shots, new aggressive statements, uneasy situation on the border mean that Azerbaijan tries to make Artsakh and Armenia make the most concessions by these steps – in your opinion, what is the reason for our neighbors’ aggressiveness, what is the way out, what should we do, in order that Azerbaijan eventually calms down and behaves calmly?
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– Firstly it is no secret for anybody that number one responsible for this policy is Ilham Aliyev and Aliyev’s unbalanced, adventurous and racist calls led to the reality that today the Azerbaijani snipers provoke a certain military adventure. You ask what we should do in this situation. I think the Armenian defense forces will not be late to respond and the Azerbaijani people will find out once again that the reason for any misfortune of theirs is the establishment of their country and first of all adventurous Aliyev. Certainly, we should also present to the international community that the steps taken by our neighbors are not adequately assessed internationally and they go beyond all bounds. We should show to the international community at the same time that as opposed to Azerbaijan that is busy with provoking a war, Armenia shows a balanced and steady attitude, doesn’t fear the war, but is the supporter of respectable peace and political solution to the problem.
– However, the international community seems to avoid making explicit assessments – e.g. explicitly mention who is the real aggressor and who provokes military actions.
– Yes, unless the international community has explicitly mentioned the real aggressor and one that engaged the snipers, of course, there is a danger that all this may continue.
– During the Armenian National Congress (ANC) rally that will take place in two days they will speak of resignations, referendum again – the same demands will be made again.
– ANC must first and foremost have the courage to accept its failures at least at the level of predictions and as for their notion that regular elections will turn into a referendum, they don’t say anything new, as any election is a referendum in reality and this is obvious. The upcoming general elections will prove that they are the first in terms of quality in our modern history and the fact that the overwhelming majority of citizens of the Republic of Armenia pin their hopes on President Sargsyan and the Republican Party led by him and the coalition.
– Abdullah Gül, the president of Turkey, said yesterday, referring to the possible normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, “Difficult issues are not solved by one step. The situation is so frozen that one cannot melt it down by blowing. There is a need for some initiatives. The time was favorable at one moment, but I think that it wasn’t possible to make all arrangements. Everyone in the region pursued his own interest in this process. Difficulties emerged, but one cannot say that everything is over.”
– The Armenian side also doesn’t think that the relations can be warmed by blowing, certainly, the problem will not be solved by one step, in particular, given the fact that Turkey not only doesn’t make any progress these days, but consistently regresses and putting forward preconditions, creates new obstacles. If Mr. Gül referred to the Armenian-Turkish process, he had better speak also of Turkey’s work style on the issue, as the policy pursued by Ankara seriously damages the security and stability in the region.
Interviewed MARGARIT YESAYAN
