PRESIDENT SHOULD BE READY FOR ANY STEP: SERZH SARGSYAN'S INTERVIEW TO KOMMERSANT
11:56, 4 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan had
an interview with Russian Kommersant daily newspaper. As Armenpress
reports, Serzh Sargsyan dwelled on Presidential elections, Nagorno
Karabakh issue and issues of international importance for Armenia
.Pre - election campaign has entered the final phase. In accordance
with The Gallup Organization latest surveys, 66 % of electors are
going to cast their vote in favor of acting President, he has no
opponent. The newspaper started the interview with President Sargsyan
with the following preface "What can Russia and the whole world expect
from the new and former President"?
-What political figure do you favor most? Are there any political
ideals for you among the leading figures of the state both in present
and the past?
-It is difficult to answer. There is not a particular person. There
is only a perception what qualities should the man be apt to serve
the people. To serve the people means be ready to work, always endure
and if needed sacrifice your life. You see President must be ready
for any step. I idealize not a particular man but those ideas.
-Presidential elections are scheduled in Armenia on February 18. For
already the second time you are running for the highest post of
the Republic? What are your main achievements in the course of the
first term?
-Five years before the political controversies and hatred have utmost
tensioned the situation in the country. There was a need to break
that gap. We succeeded to stabilize the situation and open up the
political system, to launch Parliamentary election in compliance with
the standards. We created necessary systems for social and political
dialogue. Armenia has suffered from Global financial crisis.
Resultedly our economy recorded noticeable decrease. We made efforts
to surmount it as well.
-In your opinion what prospects there are pertain to Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution?
-Karabakh residents should determine themselves what political
status the country must have. This is a classic example of the
struggle for self-determination, and there is no ground why should
Artsakh people be rejected the right. All the rest issues stem from
this. It is significantly necessary to strengthen international
cooperation regarding efficient monitoring of armaments. Azerbaijan
is non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council and has
started arms race and obviously violates its obligations under Treaty
on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). We are continuing
negotiations with Azerbaijan. Yet it is not real to expect any
progress under this conditions. All who are involved in this issue
namely Moscow, Washington, Paris knew for granted who is hindering
the settlement of the issue.
- What can Russia do to relieve the intensified situation over Nagorno
Karabakh issue?
- Russia alongside with the United States and France in considered
to be a significant mediator in this issue. Due to the mediation of
Russia it became possible to sign ceasefire agreement in 1994. Also
recently we had serious hopes regarding the higher mediation of the
Russian side. Notwithstanding, unfortunately Azerbaijan suspended
that procedure continuously introducing new amendments and alterations
for the document, which was already almost agreed upon. I am grateful
to the higher authorities of Russia for their consistent and direct
participation in the issue of the solution of the conflict.
11:56, 4 February, 2013
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenia's President Serzh Sargsyan had
an interview with Russian Kommersant daily newspaper. As Armenpress
reports, Serzh Sargsyan dwelled on Presidential elections, Nagorno
Karabakh issue and issues of international importance for Armenia
.Pre - election campaign has entered the final phase. In accordance
with The Gallup Organization latest surveys, 66 % of electors are
going to cast their vote in favor of acting President, he has no
opponent. The newspaper started the interview with President Sargsyan
with the following preface "What can Russia and the whole world expect
from the new and former President"?
-What political figure do you favor most? Are there any political
ideals for you among the leading figures of the state both in present
and the past?
-It is difficult to answer. There is not a particular person. There
is only a perception what qualities should the man be apt to serve
the people. To serve the people means be ready to work, always endure
and if needed sacrifice your life. You see President must be ready
for any step. I idealize not a particular man but those ideas.
-Presidential elections are scheduled in Armenia on February 18. For
already the second time you are running for the highest post of
the Republic? What are your main achievements in the course of the
first term?
-Five years before the political controversies and hatred have utmost
tensioned the situation in the country. There was a need to break
that gap. We succeeded to stabilize the situation and open up the
political system, to launch Parliamentary election in compliance with
the standards. We created necessary systems for social and political
dialogue. Armenia has suffered from Global financial crisis.
Resultedly our economy recorded noticeable decrease. We made efforts
to surmount it as well.
-In your opinion what prospects there are pertain to Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict resolution?
-Karabakh residents should determine themselves what political
status the country must have. This is a classic example of the
struggle for self-determination, and there is no ground why should
Artsakh people be rejected the right. All the rest issues stem from
this. It is significantly necessary to strengthen international
cooperation regarding efficient monitoring of armaments. Azerbaijan
is non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council and has
started arms race and obviously violates its obligations under Treaty
on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE). We are continuing
negotiations with Azerbaijan. Yet it is not real to expect any
progress under this conditions. All who are involved in this issue
namely Moscow, Washington, Paris knew for granted who is hindering
the settlement of the issue.
- What can Russia do to relieve the intensified situation over Nagorno
Karabakh issue?
- Russia alongside with the United States and France in considered
to be a significant mediator in this issue. Due to the mediation of
Russia it became possible to sign ceasefire agreement in 1994. Also
recently we had serious hopes regarding the higher mediation of the
Russian side. Notwithstanding, unfortunately Azerbaijan suspended
that procedure continuously introducing new amendments and alterations
for the document, which was already almost agreed upon. I am grateful
to the higher authorities of Russia for their consistent and direct
participation in the issue of the solution of the conflict.