On September 6, a joint press conference was held between Mane Tandilyan, the Leader of the “Country to Live” Party and candidate for mayor, and Ruben Vardanyan, a public-politician Coordinator of the “Artsakh Security and Development Front” Public Movement.
Ruben Vardanyan from Artsakh called on the people of Yerevan to participate in the elections and not to remain indifferent to the future. “The future is in our hands; we create the future, so we need to do a lot of work. We joined with Mrs. Tandilyan and Mr. Arakelyan because when we met in 2021, we said Artsakh is the red line for us; we all made a big contribution to keeping Artsakh, we participated in various programs, we did projects in Artsakh. I will say one thing: There will be no Armenia without Artsakh and no Artsakh without Armenia; that connection is apparent to us. Our strategic position is the only one. We have no right to live in a defeatist mentality, to give up Artsakh.”
According to Ruben Vardanyan, if some think that a peace treaty can save Armenia and what will happen to Artsakh, let it be; it is a path leading to the abyss. He mentioned: “I, not being a member of “Country to Live” discussed the idea, and we all agreed that Artsakh is one of the most important issues in the Armenian world. Secondly, people should see that “Country to Live” started its work from the communities but will implement new projects and brings new idea to Yerevan. Together with my friends, we have implemented about 700 projects, done many things in Yerevan and elsewhere, and know how to do it.”
He pointed out the Tatev cable car, the school in Dilijan, which received the award for the best public building in Europe, and the building in Shahumyan Square. “What we tried to do is with high international standards and at a high level. We will not normalize the situation; we will not only build roads but also change the situation with big megaprojects.
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Yerevan should become the capital of 21st-century values. People should come and discuss the issue of second chance when people were saved and lived. People should know Yerevan not only as a historical city but as a city that has the best standards, a place where events are held not only for the citizens of Armenia but for the world; there is that ambition.” He thanked the people who believed in his ideas, joined, and turned words into action.
“People with clear ideas, principles, and values understand what they should do. I am sure that involving the Diaspora, cooperation between the private and public sectors is essential. We must unite around Artsakh, not let Artsakh become part of Azerbaijan and be depopulated, and Yerevan must become the world’s capital.”
He mentioned that breaking the spirit of struggle in people will lead to an abyss. “The government should change its position on the issue of Artsakh; it will lead to an undignified life and war. Churchill said that. The will to fight within is important; when you show it, allies will stand by you, and the situation will change. The first thing should be that spirit; people should see that they are ready for it inside.
The situation in Artsakh is tough. People don’t understand how serious the situation is. At the same time, the people of Artsakh will continue to excite our entire world with their clear and strong position that despite the difficulties, they are ready to live in Artsakh and fight for Artsakh; they should feel that they are not alone.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
