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Sarkisian, Party Leaders Discuss Economic Crisis
Published: Friday March 20, 2009
Source: Asbarez.com
http://www.asbarez.com/index.html?showarticle=407 18_3/20/2009_1#AMC=Open&ASBSC=Closed
Sarkisian, Party Leaders Discuss Economic Crisis
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Serzh Sarkisian urged public support for
his government on Friday as he discussed the growing impact of the
global economic crisis on Armenia with the leaders of nearly 50
political parties in Armenia.
The meeting began with speeches by Sarkisian and his prime minister,
Tigran Sargsyan, and continued behind closed doors for about four
hours.
`The reality is that unless we confront this crisis with joint
efforts, everyone, the entire society will suffer,' the president said
in his speech. `It would be at least imprudent to leave the government
alone in the face of this danger.'
In an apparent reference to the opposition, Sarkisian said that no
Armenian party should try to draw `political dividends' from the
worsening socioeconomic situation in the country. `This is the moment
when drawing political benefits, taking subversive steps would mean
adding to the crisis, rather than fighting against its effects,' he
said.
Sarkisian also stressed the importance of public optimism and belief
in the country's bright future. `Thank God, our population is
displaying a prudent behavior in the crisis, not succumbing to a panic
that would needlessly complicate the situation,' he said.
Prime Minister Sargsuan, for his part, reiterated and defended the
Armenian government's strategy of reducing the fallout from the global
downturn. A key element of that strategy is large-scale road, housing
and other infrastructure projects mainly financed by foreign
donors. The government also plans to use external loans and grants for
providing credit to small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Armenian premier further pledged `targeted' government assistance
to local companies which would result in new jobs and boost the
country's modest exports. He said the government's anti-crisis task
force has already approved 25 billion drams ($68 million) in financial
aid to 18 firms.
Speaking to RFE/RL after the meeting, Sargsyan said he received many
`serious proposals' from party leaders relating to not only economic
policy but the rule of law and government transparency. Some
participants also criticized the government, he said. `All this is
important for us to understand current public moods, views and
assessments,' he said.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia chairman
Armen Rustamian, for his part, said that the priority should be to
ensure that a crisis of epic proportions is not created. Rustamian
deemed that the strengthening of domestic resources was necessary
especially in local trade and agricultural capabilities. He also
emphasized the proper use of import taxes as a means to avert crisis.
`We could not have come up with a recipe for addressing Armenia's
problems,' said Vazgen Manukian, a former prime minister leading the
once influential National Democratic Union party. `But the fact that
people jointly discuss their common pain creates an atmosphere and
opportunities for solving problems.'
Manukian also made the point that the government has to be
`law-abiding and fair' if it is enjoy public confidence.
Opposition parties Armenian National Congress and Heritage boycotted
the meeting.
Published: Friday March 20, 2009
Source: Asbarez.com
http://www.asbarez.com/index.html?showarticle=407 18_3/20/2009_1#AMC=Open&ASBSC=Closed
Sarkisian, Party Leaders Discuss Economic Crisis
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--President Serzh Sarkisian urged public support for
his government on Friday as he discussed the growing impact of the
global economic crisis on Armenia with the leaders of nearly 50
political parties in Armenia.
The meeting began with speeches by Sarkisian and his prime minister,
Tigran Sargsyan, and continued behind closed doors for about four
hours.
`The reality is that unless we confront this crisis with joint
efforts, everyone, the entire society will suffer,' the president said
in his speech. `It would be at least imprudent to leave the government
alone in the face of this danger.'
In an apparent reference to the opposition, Sarkisian said that no
Armenian party should try to draw `political dividends' from the
worsening socioeconomic situation in the country. `This is the moment
when drawing political benefits, taking subversive steps would mean
adding to the crisis, rather than fighting against its effects,' he
said.
Sarkisian also stressed the importance of public optimism and belief
in the country's bright future. `Thank God, our population is
displaying a prudent behavior in the crisis, not succumbing to a panic
that would needlessly complicate the situation,' he said.
Prime Minister Sargsuan, for his part, reiterated and defended the
Armenian government's strategy of reducing the fallout from the global
downturn. A key element of that strategy is large-scale road, housing
and other infrastructure projects mainly financed by foreign
donors. The government also plans to use external loans and grants for
providing credit to small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Armenian premier further pledged `targeted' government assistance
to local companies which would result in new jobs and boost the
country's modest exports. He said the government's anti-crisis task
force has already approved 25 billion drams ($68 million) in financial
aid to 18 firms.
Speaking to RFE/RL after the meeting, Sargsyan said he received many
`serious proposals' from party leaders relating to not only economic
policy but the rule of law and government transparency. Some
participants also criticized the government, he said. `All this is
important for us to understand current public moods, views and
assessments,' he said.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia chairman
Armen Rustamian, for his part, said that the priority should be to
ensure that a crisis of epic proportions is not created. Rustamian
deemed that the strengthening of domestic resources was necessary
especially in local trade and agricultural capabilities. He also
emphasized the proper use of import taxes as a means to avert crisis.
`We could not have come up with a recipe for addressing Armenia's
problems,' said Vazgen Manukian, a former prime minister leading the
once influential National Democratic Union party. `But the fact that
people jointly discuss their common pain creates an atmosphere and
opportunities for solving problems.'
Manukian also made the point that the government has to be
`law-abiding and fair' if it is enjoy public confidence.
Opposition parties Armenian National Congress and Heritage boycotted
the meeting.