UK ambassador speaks on Armenia ex-PM’s resignation

Zhamanak: UK ambassador speaks on Armenia ex-PM’s resignation

April 17, 2014

YEREVAN. ` Zhamanak daily spoke with Katherine (Kathy) Leach, the
Ambassador of Great Britain to Armenia. Below is an excerpt from the
interview.

`How would you comment on the resignation of [PM Tigran] Sargsyan,
with whom you have worked closely during his tenure?

`From the viewpoint of the West, being in the position of the PM for
six years is quite a long time. I assume that a number of events took
place which dictated that the time has come to move forward. Of
course, PM Sargsyan has been a great advocate of Armenia’s EU
association talks.

`Even though it was decided on September 3 [, 2013] to end these talks
and, now, he [Sargsyan] was the advocate of [Armenia’s accession to]
the [Russia-led] Customs Union?

`It is hard for us to understand the change in this decision. [But] I
know that our EU partners appreciated his approach in Armenia’s EU
negotiations, and considered him a constructive figure.

`In your view, what should be the priorities of the newly appointed PM
[Hovik Abrahamyan]?

`I believe President [Serzh] Sargsyan himself stressed that they are
the economic issues. You need to ensure economic growth. [But] there
are technical issues [, too]. In President Sargsyan’s observations,
following the PM’s resignation, I was gladdened by the importance of a
fresh vision, and the formation of a government which the people will
trust. I hope that this too will be a priority for the new PM, and the
new ministers’ cabinet he will form.’

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