“The isolation of Armenia is a big problem, it is a serious problem and the dependence on such a country as Russia is a national security issue,” Artak Zeynalyan, a member of the Republic Party political council, said during a conversation with www.aravot.am about the statement made by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan at the congress of the most influential political force in Europe, the European People’s Party (EPP). “We have started a comprehensive program of reforms, as a result of which we will have a much more effective system of government. In order to reach those goals, Armenia needs considerable support – that is the reason why we prepare a forum of donors along with the European Commission,” President Sargsyan said. Let us remind that the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has been a member of the EPP for a year already.
“It is obvious that Armenia has financial problems and it is doubtless that it is in need of the international community’s help,” Artak Zeynalyan says thinking of efficiently distributing and using financial means as the most serious and biggest problem. “Certainly, if one has to ask for money, one should ask that money from international organizations, European institutions, a country other than the Russian Federation, but the fairness and legitimacy of spending that money arouse suspicion,” our interlocutor says.
In response to our question whether one could perceive the fact that President Sargsyan expects money from Europe as an attempt to separate from the Russian Federation a bit, Artak Zeynalyan said, “It would be good, if it was an attempt to become a bit independent from the Russian Federation. We enjoy the status of the outpost and vassal of the Russian
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Federation today. Armenia is not an independent country. We must long for independence. We must do everything it takes to make Armenia independent. That is why that step is a right step in that sense. Or the Russian Federation has just refused to give money.”
President Sargsyan also said, “The parliamentary election that took place in Armenia in the spring was assessed as the best since the declaration of independence. The Armenian government is consistent to turn the progress we have achieved into a clear tendency and to hold a free, fair, transparent and democratic presidential election in the short-run. That is why preparatory measures have been taken based on the OSCE/ODIHR conclusions and proposals.” Our interlocutor assesses this statement in the following manner, “Even if it was said honestly and frankly, those are just good wishes. I strongly doubt that the presidential election will be legitimate and fair.”
In response to a question why he was skeptical from the start, perhaps, there was an honest wish to organize such an election, Artak Zeynalyan said, “Because there are no prerequisites for that, to begin with. The state of freedom in Armenia is not like it can contribute to free expression of one’s will. The necessary prerequisites for that are not there. The state of freedom of speech in Armenia is very bad – there are reports on that, Armenia is among the countries that are not free in terms of freedom of the press. There are trials related to political persecution in Armenia, there are persecutions. Under such conditions, it is not possible to conduct a free and fair election, people cannot express their will freely,” our interlocutor says putting aside what that will would be like, if it was expressed freely.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
