In the framework of his visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, President Armen Sarkissian was hosted at the Bertelsmann Foundation. It is a famous analytical center, a thinktank which conducts research and offers solutions to resist serious global economic, political, and social challenges.
President Sarkissian made a statement titled “Armenia in 2018 and the Region”, presented Armenia’s comparative advantages and highlighted the three points which make Armenia interesting for cooperation.
“Allow me to explain why Armenia is important today.
I will concentrate on three points. These are: precise timing, the right place and the right model.
We are right at the beginning of the 21st century. Everything is changing and is changing with the speed of light. I believe, in political and economic sense, the time is right to see what’s going on in the world.
Speaking of economy, we often refer to industrial revolutions. I will not agree that we are living in the period of the 4th industrial revolution because I believe it’s not a revolution that’s going on but a very fast evolution.
In five years, this will be a technologically different world, much more integrated and interconnected. Some would say that processes of globalization have slowed down but allow me to differ on this too. Maybe globalization has slowed down but it has turned into microglobalization and that process is unstoppable.
Certainly, sometimes our behavior acquires a quant nature, in the sense that it becomes possible to apply quant physics in social and political activities. It means that not everything has classical behavior, economy and politics are not working in a classical way. All this has multiple examples one of which is the Armenian revolution.
The time is right for Armenia in the sense that we have entered the 21st century of quant politics and industries.
The second point or factor is the place. If you view Armenia’s not virtual but physical place, you will notice that Armenia – a member of EAEU, has also an agreement with the European Union. Armenia is the only country which has these two factors and may become a bridge between the West and the East. In the economic sense, Armenia can offer a much bigger market.
It must be taken into consideration that along with the population of 3 million within the country, many more Armenians are living abroad – in California, New York, Singapore and Bombay, Buenos Aires and Middle East. Armenian communities are well-organized, advanced and successful. Because of them, we can state that the reputation of the Armenian businessmen stands very high, these are diligent people. In 21st century, all this commands great appreciation.
Besides, Armenians living abroad are greatly involved in the processes which are taking place in Armenia and this is very important. Armenia is a small country but a global nation which is significant in the 21st century.
Besides, Armenia may become an important link between the North and the South because maintains good-neighborly relations with Georgia and Russia, countries of the South, including those of the Persian Gulf. So, it’s a real crossroad and has been one for centuries.
It means that Armenia is in the right place at the right time. Now about the model.
If we look back 20-30 or 50 years, at that time we would had to speak of a model which was considered a closed model. Now, the small Armenia has a great Spyurk, around 12-15 million Armenians live all over the world.
As the President of the country, I should say that it is very important that all Armenians living in the world should first be good citizens of the countries they reside in. One cannot help one’s own country if you live in a ghetto. One needs to integrate into the society and become a good citizen of the country one lives in. Only then you can have relations with your historical homeland, in this case, with Armenia. Only in this case you can be very useful to your Fatherland, because this is an open model and in the 21st century of quant politics there can be no other model.”
The President spoke of other advantages of our country, noted its young spirit and advancement in the area of technologies.
“This is a young Armenia, a country which has a spirit, which looks into the future and is confident that it will be better than ever. Anyone, who comes to Armenia, will feel the same, it’s a young generation, a young country.
Armenia is keen on new technologies, education, science, especially mathematics and physics. Today, the country has the most advanced sector of information technologies in the region.
Technologies of the 21st century will be based on innovation, research and development. This is Armenia’s time because innovations, research and development are also the future of the economy.
Thus, we are in the right place, at the right time, and have a right model.”
The President spoke also of the internal situation. “Armenia is a democratic state. We can be proud that today, when the pre-election campaign has commenced, the main part of the population is confident that these elections will be free and fair. I believe that the will of the people will become the winner in these elections. After the elections we will embark on a new mission which holds a great future.”