Political analyst Vigen Hakobyan about Karen Karapetyan’s call to Diaspora Armenians
RA Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan’s call to Diaspora Armenian to be a part of building the future of the homeland was not accepted unequivocally. Certainly, there were also positive words, however, this call became a target of criticism because many people considered it as a message of “begging money” to bring investments to Armenia.
“Aravot” Daily asked political analyst Vigen Hakobyan whether it is not contradictory that once when Diaspora Armenian celebrities expressed willingness to participate in the parliamentary elections held in April as observers, this willingness remained unanswered, so whether the Prime Minister’s call does not enter into contradiction with this reality, Mr. Hakobyan replied, “They are on slightly different platforms. The Prime Minister’s call generally referred to the comprehensive participation of the Diaspora directly into Armenia’s life while the other call had a specific meaning associated with the elections. To be honest, I’m not saying that it is normal that the call, as you mentioned, did not receive proper attention because I do not think that additional control could result badly, on the contrary, it would increase confidence in the processes implemented in Armenia. This excessive caution towards the Diaspora intellectuals that their desires are not met is not normal, and all of this should be tried to solve within the framework of solving major political matters. There should be an atmosphere of mutual trust that the Diaspora does not only take on the functions of control at times, and Armenia does not look at the Diaspora as a donor.”
According to Mr. Hakobyan, Karen Karapetyan’s message was a call of strategic importance with which the Prime Minister addressing the Diaspora noted that great reforms are launched in Armenia under his supervision but he also speaks of the loopholes, “The subtext contains the idea that in any case, this new government is trying to get rid of the former mode of practice by acknowledging the loopholes and perceiving that new times are coming in the Diaspora.”
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To our question of whether therewith Karen Karapetyan is trying also to break the stereotypes that Armenia’s domestic issues are not the business of the Diaspora Armenians, the political analyst replied, “Yes, apparently, the Prime Minister is saying that the Diaspora and Armenia are two different parts of one body, and everybody’s homeland is Armenia. On the contrary, he calls for the Diaspora to have a direct involvement in the political, economic and cultural life of Armenia. There is even a call for the Diaspora professionals to return to their homeland, to come and participate in the reforms implemented in Armenia and educate the youth.”
According to Vigen Hakobyan, the Prime Minister explains in an open text that his program guarantees by its own personality. Although the political analyst stressed that he has reservations on the cases when the person is the guarantor but in this case, the situation is different, and this call may have a geopolitical importance. To our observation that the call of the head of the government was not accepted unequivocally, commenting that it mainly was pursuing the goal to bring in investments from the Diaspora to Armenia, Mr. Hakobyan replied, “Certainly, it also exists. But a much larger task is put forwards. Overall, there is an ideological substantiation. If I am not mistaken, there is even no word “investment” in the call, the Prime Minister says, let’s build the country together.”
Vigen Hakobyan’s impression is that Karen Karapetyan wants to break the stereotype in the Armenia-Diaspora relations that Armenia is looking at the Diaspora as a benefactor, the Prime Minister says, let’s build the country with joint efforts as the only guarantee of the development of the nation is the Armenia state. In other words, I did not see a call to beg money behind these words. There was not only a direct call that we are interested in you, but also the fact that let’s look at Armenia as one common homeland.”
To our reversal that on the one hand, they turn to the Diaspora with a call to be involved in building the future of Armenia, on the other hand, they do not allow them to participate in the elections in Armenia, Mr. Hakobyan responded as follows: “Since the Prime Minister’s call is viewed as a political call, I think that the questions that you raise are worth discussing. It is already a matter of discussion of all Armenians: whether our compatriots of the Diaspora have the right to vote or not, should they serve in the army or not. These are topics of chronic nature. As far as I remember, after the establishment of independent Armenia, these questions always existed. Time has come to give solutions to such questions as well.”
In conclusion, Mr. Hakobyan once again addressed the criticism, assuring that the rules of the game are changing which hits the business of some people, “For years, people have accustomed that some issues, including financial, are resolved with the help of some organizations. Now, it is offered to change the rules of the game, some people are troubled that they might be cut off their levers, channels, roughly speaking, the fertile.”
