RPA faction MP and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Samvel Nikoyan, answers the questions of “Aravot”
– Can we assume from President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan’s interview with the American Bloomberg media company that Armenia is trying to the so-called “cut the umbilical cord” off Russia?
– President Serzh Sargsyan told in this interview the simple truths that are known to all of us and he has repeated it many times these days. I do not so much agree with your view of “cutting the umbilical cord” off Russia. I think and the four-day war and the preceding and subsequent periods showed that “our security guarantor” used term and specifically pointing to Russia is not so. The strategic partner should not be called a security guarantor. You are the security guarantor, you yourself, your nation, the state, the people and the army. All your created international contacts, including our relations with CSTO, EaEU, Russia and so on. Of course, in all relations, Russia has its own place, role and significance in the region and for our state. These are the truths that the president has raised during this interview.
– Since until now, this consciousness was missing, moreover, they were not raised by the first figure of the country, now, it is assumed that specific moves in this direction are expected. What are these moves?
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– They generally refer to all systems, institutions, government sectors of our state, ranging from the army, information problems and internal rules and procedures. We need to understand one thing: in what is Nagorno-Karabakh and consequently also Armenia. Each person must make strenuous efforts in its place, the state institutions must work more intensively than they are going to work tomorrow. This problem should be placed in front of everyone.
– In 1999, during Vazgen Sargsyan and Karen Demirchyan alliance, a similar situation was formed which ended with “October 27”. Do you see parallels?
– I do not want to see any parallel. I think that we have the necessity and ability to look at the things soberly. This refers to everybody. Nobody should attribute the role of the judge and demand from others. Everyone should work better today than tomorrow. Pay attention that the sphere servicing the parliament and the state foreign policy is working very actively these days. Our Diaspora also does its job, jointly and united. All the opportunities of the state are clarified and they should be used very effectively and earmarked.
– Despite your persuasion, the institute servicing the RA foreign diplomatic sphere was notable with its passivity. Numerous criticisms were also voiced.
– Often, the public describes the activities of any institute by the promotional or informative information that it receives. But often, in such spheres, the state institutions, including the defense, are forced not to praise and glorify their work.
– A day before, Armenian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Azerbaijan has appealed to the UN Security Council informing about the unilaterally breaking off the tripartite ceasefire agreement signed between Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia on 12 May 1994.
– Whether this signature existed or not, it does not change anything essential. Azerbaijan’s starting a war or not is not connected with the presence of the signature but its possibilities. In my opinion, this is the last pressure on the international community, co-chairs and Armenia.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
