President Serzh Sargsyan urged Armenia’s governing party to take the lead in forming a new political culture and modernizing other spheres of life after being unanimously reinstalled as its leader Saturday during the party’s congress.
More than a thousand delegates attending the congress of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) also voted to introduce newcomer Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan (widely held as a reformist premier) into the party’s governing body. (Several key members of the Cabinet, including the economy and finance ministers, also joined the party earlier this month, presumably giving the party a greater muscle to press ahead with its economic reform. The formalizing of ties with RPA by chief governors may also be seen as a show of strength, as RPA ideology has clashed lately with other parties over issues including the Armenia-Turkey foreign policy protocols.)
In a policy speech resonating the need for transformation and reform, including within the RPA, President Sargsyan encouraged the majority party to assume leadership in “political, public and economic modernization” which he said is possible to achieve in the next few years.
“With its track record, political experience, personnel and professional potential, the Republican Party has proved that it is the leading political force in our country and it should also maintain this status in the visible future,” Sargsyan said.
The president also sought to impress on fellow Republicans his democratic vision of the party structure and functioning.
“The Republican Party is not Serzh Sargsyan. Serzh Sargsyan is just one of the Republicans. I’m saying this with confidence that this is a major impetus for the country’s development, a message for the perception of their role in government for today’s and tomorrow’s authorities. And if this isn’t appreciated as much as it should be today, tomorrow it will surely take its roots,” he said.
At the same time, the Armenian leader called for forming a new political culture based on dialogue, which he said was vital for the country’s political stability and ability “to meet external challenges in the rapidly changing world.”
“But political stability does not mean a stagnant thought and ideology or undisputed authority. Political stability, in our vision, implies freedom of thought,” he said. “Sharp debate should never be underestimated. But we will maintain political stability in our country through dialogue.”
In his key-note speech President Sargsyan also addressed some of the challenges that Armenia faces in its relations with the world.
In particular, Sargsyan called the recently signed protocols on establishing interstate relations with Turkey as evidence that his government is capable of solving the most difficult problems and make progress even on most painful issues.
“Even though we are still at the beginning of the process and the protocols are yet to be ratified and implemented, it is clear that things have started to change… This will certainly contribute to our two countries’ political and economic development and to the strengthening of regional cooperation, peace and stability,” underscored Sargsyan.
At the same time, Sargsyan rejected claims that the establishment of relations with Turkey means forgetting the Ottoman-era Genocide of Armenians.
“On the contrary, the establishment of relations with Turkey and contacts with the Turkish society will make it possible to speed up the process of the admission of the Genocide in Turkey and the affirmation of the Genocide elsewhere in the world,” he argued.
Sargsyan also reiterated Armenia’s position on seeking a negotiated peace in the Karabakh conflict, but warned war hawks in Azerbaijan that “we are ready to rebut any encroachment against Karabakh in the toughest possible way.”
Sargsyan, who is currently negotiating, on behalf of Armenia, a peace deal with Azerbaijan on the settlement of the long-running dispute, emphasized that long-term solutions to conflicts can only be based on fairness and reasonable compromise. He also stressed that “agreement among all parties to the Karabakh conflict should be in one package that includes solutions to all problems, as well as internationally provided mechanisms ensuring the implementation of these solutions.”
English
Հայերեն
back to top 
Readers' comments
Read commented Article
Post a comment
Read all 3 comments
Comments are welcomed and encouraged. However, comments not pertaining to the topic or containing slander or offensive language will be deleted. You have to be registered to be able leave your comment. Sign in or Register now for free.