Tweet
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Feb 14 2013
Edward Sharmazanov: `Economic relations should be diversified'
14 February 2013 - 7:30am
Interview by David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament and press secretary of the
Republican Party, Edward Sharmazanov told Vestnik Kavkaza on prospects
of participation of Armenia in integration processes in the
post-Soviet area, and the possibility of surprises ahead of the
presidential elections.
- As a republican, do you think major force situations can
appear ahead of the elections?
- I don't think it is possible in the current situation. We
had a major force situation during the March elections in 2008, which
were accompanied by the moral and political crisis and human
casualties. The society was divided into two opposite sides, it was
full of hatred. I participated in these developments and know how
difficult they were. Today such surprises won't happen, and it is not
because of a wave of a magic wand. Yes, the current Armenia has many
problems and issues that should be settled, but everything is
comparative. Today the level of democracy, pluralism, the mass media
freedom, the political culture is much higher than we had 5 years ago.
- What is important for Republicans along with the victory of
their candidate?
- First of all, it is important for the RPA to provide
transparent, free, and democratic elections today. Armenia has a
chance to organize the best elections after which the society won't be
divided into `them' and `us.' Only the society will decide whether to
trust the authorities or not. I think we are far away from Brezhnev's
times of absence of pluralism. And as the ruling party we have to
provide all necessary conditions for free elections. I am sure
international and local observers will have an opportunity to see it.
- What do you think about the participation of Armenia in
European integration projects, for instance the Eastern Partnership,
and initiated by Moscow projects of integration in the post-Soviet
space?
- The RPA is a supporter of an active foreign political
course in all possible directions. Therefore, we are not only
supporters of the European integration, our priority is the
realization of the multisided policy. I would like to note that the
Armenian authorities have always been supporters of forming good
relations with all major political players at a high level.
Considering the geopolitical peculiarities of our regions, it is very
important for us. Moreover, Russia itself cooperates actively with
Europe and the West in general. I believe economic relations cannot
develop in one direction only, they should be diversified.
- Does the Associative Agreement with the EU, which is going
to be signed, contradict a possible membership of Armenia in the
Customs and future Eurasian Unions?
- I think these are two different things, and they should be
considered from different points of view. Good relations with Europe
do not require Armenia's denial of its duties to Russia. Armenia is
one of the most active supporters of integration process in the
post-Soviet space.
President Serge Sargsyan stated in one of his interviews that the
republic stands for the realization of almost any integration
processes within the CIS. There is no other way, considering our
interests in new markets and opportunities of the Customs Union, for
example. The same view we have on European integration process.
- What about Armenia's security?
- Of course this element is a priority for the authorities of
Armenia in relations with partners. It is no secret that our security
is globally provided by the strategic partner of Armenia - Russia.
Improvement of relations with our strategic partner is a long-term
priority for the RPA. Thus, we can definitely say that Armenia
connects its security with a partnership with Russia and its
membership in the CSTO. We have never discussed our possible
membership in the NATO. At the same time, we are intensively
developing partner relations with European countries and the USA. We
believe it is acceptable and doesn't damage our strategic relations
with Russia, our main ally.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/37023.html
Feb 14 2013
Edward Sharmazanov: `Economic relations should be diversified'
14 February 2013 - 7:30am
Interview by David Stepanyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament and press secretary of the
Republican Party, Edward Sharmazanov told Vestnik Kavkaza on prospects
of participation of Armenia in integration processes in the
post-Soviet area, and the possibility of surprises ahead of the
presidential elections.
- As a republican, do you think major force situations can
appear ahead of the elections?
- I don't think it is possible in the current situation. We
had a major force situation during the March elections in 2008, which
were accompanied by the moral and political crisis and human
casualties. The society was divided into two opposite sides, it was
full of hatred. I participated in these developments and know how
difficult they were. Today such surprises won't happen, and it is not
because of a wave of a magic wand. Yes, the current Armenia has many
problems and issues that should be settled, but everything is
comparative. Today the level of democracy, pluralism, the mass media
freedom, the political culture is much higher than we had 5 years ago.
- What is important for Republicans along with the victory of
their candidate?
- First of all, it is important for the RPA to provide
transparent, free, and democratic elections today. Armenia has a
chance to organize the best elections after which the society won't be
divided into `them' and `us.' Only the society will decide whether to
trust the authorities or not. I think we are far away from Brezhnev's
times of absence of pluralism. And as the ruling party we have to
provide all necessary conditions for free elections. I am sure
international and local observers will have an opportunity to see it.
- What do you think about the participation of Armenia in
European integration projects, for instance the Eastern Partnership,
and initiated by Moscow projects of integration in the post-Soviet
space?
- The RPA is a supporter of an active foreign political
course in all possible directions. Therefore, we are not only
supporters of the European integration, our priority is the
realization of the multisided policy. I would like to note that the
Armenian authorities have always been supporters of forming good
relations with all major political players at a high level.
Considering the geopolitical peculiarities of our regions, it is very
important for us. Moreover, Russia itself cooperates actively with
Europe and the West in general. I believe economic relations cannot
develop in one direction only, they should be diversified.
- Does the Associative Agreement with the EU, which is going
to be signed, contradict a possible membership of Armenia in the
Customs and future Eurasian Unions?
- I think these are two different things, and they should be
considered from different points of view. Good relations with Europe
do not require Armenia's denial of its duties to Russia. Armenia is
one of the most active supporters of integration process in the
post-Soviet space.
President Serge Sargsyan stated in one of his interviews that the
republic stands for the realization of almost any integration
processes within the CIS. There is no other way, considering our
interests in new markets and opportunities of the Customs Union, for
example. The same view we have on European integration process.
- What about Armenia's security?
- Of course this element is a priority for the authorities of
Armenia in relations with partners. It is no secret that our security
is globally provided by the strategic partner of Armenia - Russia.
Improvement of relations with our strategic partner is a long-term
priority for the RPA. Thus, we can definitely say that Armenia
connects its security with a partnership with Russia and its
membership in the CSTO. We have never discussed our possible
membership in the NATO. At the same time, we are intensively
developing partner relations with European countries and the USA. We
believe it is acceptable and doesn't damage our strategic relations
with Russia, our main ally.
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/37023.html