President Serzh Sarsgayn’s speech at the 14th extraordinary Convention
of the Republican Party
16:58 15.12.2012
Today, the President of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of the
Republican Party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan participated at the 14th
extraordinary Convention of the RPA. The agenda of the Convention
included the presidential nomination issue and Serzh Sargsyan was
nominated as a presidential candidate. At the Convention Serzh
Sargsyan made a statement.
Statement by the President of Armenia, Chairman of the Republican
Party of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the RPA 14th Convention
Fellow Republicans,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I welcome you all at the extraordinary Convention of the Republican
Party of Armenia. Today, we have the opportunity, before the
Presidential elections, to assess the current situation, evaluate the
efficiency of steps already taken and to chart our mid-term and
long-term objectives. Let us try to recap what has already been done,
understand where we stand now, and where we are headed.
Two decades ago, our nation received yet another chance to create its
own independent statehood. And, thanks God, we did not miss it. In the
first five years of independence our people endured immense hardship.
Our people came out victorious in a war imposed upon them. Laid the
foundations of a liberal economy on the ruins of collapsing economy.
Created public administration structure characteristic of an
independent state, and created the army. Often, encircled from many
sides, sometimes entirely cut off from the world, within closed
borders, it was able to move ahead by the intellect and vigor of its
offspring: we have reaffirmed to ourselves and the world our ability
to live independently. Our people have proven our right for existence
in the 21st century; our right to have a state, our right to have a
future. The first years of independence were the years of sweat and
struggle, years of formation and creation. Through these very years
the Armenian nation shaped the main rationale of our life and work for
the decades to come: everything that is good and virtuous,
controversial and contentious, leaning on the spiritual, intellectual
and material values accumulated through preceding decades. We shaped
it the way we could: as we desired, occasionally as we were compelled
to.
In the following decades, our soldiers, workers, farmers,
intellectuals and authorities have been able to solidify these
achievements. Our people were able to preserve the achievements, make
the Army and the state structures even stronger. We were able to
create a stable financial system. Thanks to the unprecedented in our
reality tempo of economic growth, we created the material
prerequisites for development. Structures inherited from the Soviet
era and created during the first years of independence were improved
and modernized. The country undertook structural changes in the most
vital areas of education and health care. The time was not simply
favorable, it compelled and commanded these changes, it forced and
induced to preserve and strengthen them.
Almost five years ago a new opportunity emerged for our state, for our
people. Time offered a new starting point to our people. An
opportunity and an imperative to make the structures formed in the
preceding fifteen years deliver their best for the benefit of the
people. As it often happens in history, this time too, the opportunity
was accompanied, or rather was imposed upon us by demanding
challenges. Our society shuddered from the outburst of social and
political intolerance accumulated over years. Another war, which
erupted in our neighborhood, shut down our borders. For a moment, the
Armenian economy sagged under the impact of the financial and economic
crisis. The problems and painful issues that had been set aside for
almost fifteen years, piled up and demanded immediate resolution. The
people, more than ever, were waiting to make the best of the benefits
accumulated during the years-long period of favorable environment.
Young people were demanding better housing and a better education,
government employees – a dignified life. Citizens were demanding
higher quality public services. Businesses were demanding a more
predictable economic climate and less administration. The unemployed
were demanding jobs. The workers were demanding confidence in the
future. The insecure were demanding opportunities. The affluent were
demanding dependability. And everyone was demanding justice and
security.
To ignore the imperative of the time, fail to fulfill its demands was
not an option. Nobody perceives this momentous truth with greater
precision, than the political force which, through public trust, has
voluntarily assumed the burden of governance: the Party, the
Personality. And, together with you, we have been able to hear the
call of the time.
We were able to bring the country out of the financial and economic
crisis. We were able to ease the tax burden for small and medium
enterprises. Were able to save thousands of jobs in the mining and
construction sectors; provide a serious impetus to the creation of new
jobs in food production and light industry; were able to keep our
financial system intact; were able to do things that even much more
powerful countries failed to accomplish.
Still during the crisis, we were able to contain the spike in energy,
gas and water tariffs. We have built hundreds of kilometers of water
and gas pipes, renovated rural roads and initiated the construction of
an unprecedented highway infrastructure. We were able to take
communication and information technologies to most remote corners of
our country.
We gave the opportunity to hundreds of young families to buy homes and
provided thousands of people in the earthquake zone with new housing.
Thanks to the introduction of new systems of insurance, we were able
to improve the well-being of government employees; were able to
considerably improve the quality of public services for our citizens.
The once problematic services today are comparable in their quality
and administration to those in the most developed and civilized
states. We have also been able to considerably advance the protection
of the rights of the Armenian consumers. And, at last, it became
possible to make maternity ward services free of charge, while medical
care in general became more affordable. We brought modern,
high-quality medical service to the marzes of Armenia; created
guarantees for a dignified old age for working citizens through the
introduction of a new funded pension system.
Rest assured that for our compatriots, who had left Armenia only years
ago, Armenia has changed beyond recognition.
We have started, step by step, to marginalize the corruption and abuse
that were getting rooted in our country for decades. We encouraged and
promoted young and well-educated politicians and statesmen. We
launched and brought to completion a number of critical official
investigations. We put forth our collective will against connivance.
We rejected outright a malicious practice of using force against
journalists, opened up the media and restored the right of TV channels
to access the spectrum. We dumped public communication from the
position of strength and restored the right of people to be in
opposition without labeling them traitors. We did not shy away from
difficulty. We have commenced reforms in the most complex and
important areas, starting with the Police and the judiciary. We
demanded that our Police serve the people in a new way,
conscientiously.
I assure you that the new generation of Armenian citizens will learn
about impunity only from their parent’s memories.
Through the previous five years, together with you, we have been able
to noticeably change our country. However, it is not enough, not
enough at all. We have been able to make Armenia incomparably more
attractive for businesses and a more dependable country for
investments. However, there is much left to be done. We have been able
to make Armenia a much more comfortable and safe country. Still much
more will be done. Some of the problems have been fundamentally
solved. The necessary steps have been taken or the solution of others.
It will not take long for our citizens to see the results. We have set
difficult targets. But we have chosen targets that will continue to
make life in our country more prosperous and safer. Our society will
become more equitable, and our state – more secure. All our steps are
directed towards people, towards the citizens of Armenia. All our
efforts are for the people, our compatriots, their well-being. We have
never followed parochial partisan objectives. We take pride in finding
solutions for exceptionally tough problems, and the achieved results.
But each and every of these results requires a dozen, sometimes a
hundred steps, steps which cannot be taken concurrently, because these
steps must be taken also by others. These are steps which are
commanded by the time. Very often, in solving intricate issues, you
have to wait for your partners to make their move. Often you wait for
each of them to make a step. However, as a rule, the results of such
partnership are more tangible, durable and lasting. Many of our
initiatives today have already yielded results. Nevertheless, we have
launched many more initiatives, whose results will be observable for
our citizens in the forthcoming years. Today, I would like to
highlight our determination and will to bring them to a successful
completion.
Dear Fellow Republicans,
We need to have a sound and forward-looking objective, which will
allow to concur present challenges and move forward, ensuring a
dignified and prosperous life for every citizen of the Republic of
Armenia. Such an objective solidifies our conviction that our country
will be competitive, endowed with an Armenia-oriented centripetal
force. Together, we will be able to shape a country, which will be
competitive enough to offer sufficient prosperity to its own citizens,
will devoid of any sense a desire to earn a living abroad and will be
able in a dignified manner to summon its children back – to return to
a thriving Armenia. We are united by the idea that Armenia will be a
much better place, far more equitable, freer, and much more
prosperous. We have no alternative; we just have to build such an
Armenia.
Today we have a mature battleworthy Army, which safeguards the
security of our Motherland; we have established state and local
governance institutions, a burgeoning civil society, and press which
is freer than the press in many countries, including some developed
ones of traditional democracy. The Armenian family, which went through
the crucible of millennia, is our greatest value. A protected homeland
and well-off families – these are the prerequisites of a
well-organized state, and they will fulfill the objective of secure
Armenia.
We are living in a region entangled in a web of consistent hatred and
warmongering rhetoric, a region full of threats and hazards. Some
countries even question the right of the Armenian people to live on
their historical land. The probabilities of military conflicts in our
region are rampant. Stopping the arms race and lifting the blockade
remain high on our political agenda. Dividing lines, xenophobia and
the inclination of some of our neighbors to solve issues through force
or threats thereof will continue to be rejected. Implementation of
regional programs while isolating Armenia is not viable and will
hinder regional stability, security and development processes. We will
continue our substantial contribution to the process of establishing
an atmosphere of mutual trust in our region. No nation is perceived by
the Armenian people as enemies. In the same spirit, the Armenian
people anticipate that the authorities of neighboring states will stop
their policy of denying Armenians the right of existence, sovereignty,
stable and secure development, meanwhile pushing their own societies
towards violence. At the same time, we are confident that the first
and foremost guarantor of a secure Motherland is our Army. Maintaining
peace in the region and thwarting military recklessness against our
country depend on a precise and purposeful development of our defense
potential, in accordance with modern standards of professionalism,
discipline, transparency, and control.
Persistence in the reformation of internal security structures and
assuring their compliance with modern requirements, prevention of
external threats, as well as steps to ensure an adequate response will
span comprehensive – intelligence, political, diplomatic, economic,
information, if necessary, military and other measures.
The Armed Forces of Armenia will not engage in exhausting and passive
defense, because they are capable, through their mobility and combat
readiness, to extend security in the region and beyond, and the basis
for that is already set by the excellent execution of combat tasks by
our peacekeepers in different corners of the world.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia will continue to be
supplied with modern weaponry and materiel, including that of domestic
production. Priority will be assigned to multifunctional complexes
combining observation, detection, targeting and destruction systems.
In all this, the domestic military and industrial complex will play a
crucial role, and its continual modernization will remain in the focus
of the state’s attention.
Hazing and intimidation of fellow servicemen have no place in the
Armenian Armed Forces. The Army personnel will become most educated
and professional. Discipline will be based on mutual respect of
servicemen and unconditional performance of orders with utmost sense
of contributing to the defense of the Motherland. In all this, the
commanders will serve as ultimate role models, who will lead by their
personal example.
In building a secure Homeland, the role of foreign policy becomes ever
more prominent. Today, the international involvement of Armenia is
more inclusive, dynamic and interrelated than ever. Our bilateral and
multilateral cooperation is expanding. The process of deepening
diplomatic relations is going on. The legal framework of our
international activities is becoming more comprehensive. Armenia is
developing relations with almost all leading states, power centers,
and regions. There emerge more and more favorable conditions for
presenting the interests of our country, for the protection of the
rights of our citizens, and for the involvement of our compatriots.
Our permanent attention will be focused on:
– Strengthening the external elements of security;
– A peaceful resolution of the Artsakh problem, based on the right of
people for self-determination;
– Expansion of Armenia’s participation in the international political
and economic cooperation and structures;
– Pursuing pan-Armenian agenda and adding daily momentum to the
process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide;
– Steps towards the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage;
– Development of partnership with the Russian Federation and
implementation of programs to strengthen strategic cooperation;
– Development and expansion of friendly partnership with the United States;
– Continual policy of approximation with Europe, further strengthening
of our relations with European countries;
– Other priorities of our foreign policy.
We will continue to promote and contribute to the implementation of
all initiatives aiming at the formation of a positive agenda of
international relations, which is concurrent with out national
interests. We will remain faithful to the adopted spirit of the
partnership and cooperation. For the world, Armenia will remain a
trustworthy and predictable partner.
2015 will be a singular milestone for the entire Armenian nation, the
year of the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide – in
Armenia, Artsakh, the Diaspora, as well as for the progressive
mankind. We will put our efforts into bringing the recognition and
condemnation of the Armenian Genocide to a dramatically new level –
the level of international structures, states, international
community, including the Turkish society.
Another essential element of secure Motherland is the peaceful
resolution of the Artsakh problem. This in non-negotiable: the destiny
of Nagorno Karabakh will be decided solely by the people of Artsakh.
The Nagorno Karabakh problem must be solved exclusively through
peaceful means, through negotiations. At the same time, we are ready
for a staunch putdown of any reckless scheme or encroachment, which
may endanger our security.
Considering Azerbaijan’s destructive policy, persistent propagation of
hatred towards Armenians, daily threats to use force, we will continue
through all possible means to enhance security guarantees for Nagorno
Karabakh and its population. We will carry on with the process of
negotiations. Expressing our gratitude to the Co-Chair states of the
Minsk Group for their efforts towards the peaceful resolution of the
conflict, we will at the same time continue to draw the attention of
mediators and the international community to opportunities for the
establishment and strengthening of confidence building measures, which
could be helpful towards a peaceful resolution. Azerbaijan’s policy in
general and, particularly, their refusal to withdraw snipers, refusal
to put info force a mechanism for investigation of border incidents,
the glorification of a murderer, inducement of xenophobia and racism,
unreliable and hypocritical stance during negotiations are not
conducive to the establishment of confidence building measures and, if
left unchecked, will exacerbate the situation in the entire region. It
would be reasonable and natural if Artsakh came to the table of
negotiations as soon as possible, thus our efforts will be aimed at
the expeditious resolution of that issue. Effective negotiations in a
constructive atmosphere will become possible only when the parties to
the conflict genuinely want to reach a just resolution of this issue,
abandoning baseless maximalist claims.
Dear Colleagues,
Only fair Armenia can be secure. A `fair state’ implies the ability to
discuss with the citizens important issues and adopt fair decisions. A
fair state must guarantee for everyone equal opportunities in
politics, in the economy, and in cultural life; a fair state must
ensure and enhance competition, at the same time protecting the most
vulnerable social groups; a fair state must be able to forestall
corruption efficiently.
Justice is based on the rule of law, on the ideas that recognize a
person as the greatest asset, with everything that follows. Ensuring
justice is the task for all state and local governance bodies;
nevertheless it remains the primary task of the courts.
With this regard, we will continue to carry out fundamental, deep
reforms, which, in a short period of time, will ensure accessible
justice for our citizens, its real independence and efficiency.
We also realize that only free Armenia can be fair Armenia. In our
country, pluralism, political liberties, freedom of speech have no
alternative. This is an important principle, and we still have much to
do to uphold and develop it.
Tolerance is the pillar of the political processes underway in our
country. In the process of solving current issues we must rule out
discrimination, suppression of dissent and other despicable
manifestations. Constructive and responsible criticism is the promise
of a healthy development of the political system. Development of a
multiparty system and constructive dialogue between the political
units are among important elements of a secure Armenia. In previous
years, we have been implementing the policy of building bridges, and
will maintain that principle in our agenda. The principle of national
and social solidarity has no alternative.
Only ideological competition testifies to the maturity of the
political systems of democratic states. We base our work on the
national and democratic values and we also attach importance to stable
relations with our partners in the Diaspora and its traditional
political parties, which aim at the strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora
political ties and the creation of favorable conditions for reaching
the Secure Armenia objective.
A stable and sound political system also implies assistance to the
creation and development of civil society institutions. We are
determined to get to the point when every citizen of Armenia is
confident that his or her voice is heard, his or her criticism
receives proper attention and is treated with respect. The mature
state of civil society in our country is a fact. Non-formal
associations of citizens for the solution of issues which concern them
has become a factor which influences decisions of the authorities and
serves as a unique balancing mechanism. We will continue to move
forward in this direction.
Notwithstanding all of the above, the well-being of families remains
an essential base of secure Armenia. We have to set serious goals for
our economic, social, cultural, educational, health care, and equal
territorial development policies.
Dear Fellow Republicans,
You have been handed the first draft of our program. We did it so that
with your proposals and observations you make it a comprehensive and
fundamental program. There is still sufficient time so you are
requested to present your considerations to the Party office for
reviewing so that the program is augmented and finalized.
I am grateful to my Party, to you and in your person to all members of
the Party for nominating me for the upcoming Presidential elections.
It is really very important for me. During these years, impressive
steps have been made in a number of directions, which are yet to yield
results and be brought to conclusion. This is very important for
finishing what has been started.
The organization and conduct of good, fair elections is our first and
foremost priority. We have received excellent reactions to our latest
parliamentary elections. It is inspiring. Today, as a state, we are
capable of conducting elections based on free competition, near
absolute freedom of expression and unrestricted expression of will,
and we are determined to move even further in that direction.
It is no secret that we have always been presenting ideas `in favor’,
have never acted against an individual or a force, have been in favor
of discussions and a wider dialogue, and have proposed avenues which
in our opinion lead towards Armenia’s enhanced security, towards
advancement and prosperity for our people. We will stay on that course
in the future as well. By the Lord’s grace and by its tenacity, our
nation has once again acquired its independent statehood and we will
not fall behind the mainstream of the developed world. We have to
ensure this. We must be able to create a secure Motherland for every
citizen of the Republic of Armenia and care for the well-being of each
family. There is no doubt in my mind that we will.
Armenia’s advancement is the only guarantee, which holds the promise
of eternity for our nation, prosperity of our citizens, inviolability
of our borders, our role and place on the international area, and our
national identity.
Each new day in Armenia should be different from the previous, should
be better. We will achieve the Secure Armenia with that very logic – a
better Armenia, prosperous, conducive to living and create in,
powerful and invincible Armenia, based on the concept of thriving
families.
In Secure Armenia, everyone should be able to realize his or her
dreams, reach personal, family and national goals, leaving behind all
negative phenomena such as `privileged’ individuals, monopoly, and
connivance.
A Secure Motherland and thriving families – these are the objectives
of our progress.
Dear Friends,
The Armenian statehood means a free and self-confident citizen.
Degrading human dignity, deprivation of rights and destitution which,
under previous administrations, used to be normal and regular, may not
go on in independent Armenia. A citizen must feel safe and confident
on the streets, in the work place, in a police precinct, and in the
courtroom. A citizen of Armenia must be addressed in capital letters.
This is to be taken in the literal as well as the metaphorical sense.
It is the responsibility of any political force and, moreover, of the
ruling Party, to contribute to the formation of a new Armenian. A new
Armenian, who respects laws and who is confident that he is respected
back.
It has been noted on many occasions that the Armenian Army is our
dignity. That is really so. Today, I am saying even more: the entire
Armenian state structure is our dignity. As a nation, we have things
to tell the world, we have things to prove to ourselves and to the
world. What can we prove to the world by offending and deceiving each
other, by humiliating and undermining each other? There are many good
things going on in Armenia, but very often these things go unnoticed
unfairly, because there are also disgraceful things going on, which
may disillusion even optimists. We have a fight to fight; and it is
our fight.
Remember this: in any fight the one who is not resilient and patient
is the first to give up and become disheartened. No one is allowed to
dishearten citizens of Armenia. Desperation or disappointment of one
single person means defeat in a wider sense. For that very reason,
today, I declare: The entire state system in Armenia must embody
Armenian dignity. Bad workers are those who possess neither human, nor
national dignity, while our hard working officials can serve an
example for foreigners. It is important to present ourselves to the
foreigners in a dignified way; however, before presenting ourselves to
foreigners, we must be able to present ourselves decently to the
citizens of Armenia in a no less dignified manner. There is no issue
that cannot be solved, as long as we are together. Success always
comes when we converge our national efforts. Fast of slowly but it
comes. Our failures start when we lack unity or, to put it bluntly,
when we work against each other – and it doesn’t matter whether it is
done in the open or covertly.
I appeal to all: Let us work and help each other, back each other,
inspire each other with hope and faith. A member of the parliament and
a citizen, the head of a region and a citizen, a policeman and a
citizen, a minister and a citizen ought to work in this manner. In
this case, everyone will enjoy that sense of security.
I would like to reiterate: The one who despairs first, loses the
battle. No one should look for solution to this problem in close or
distant shores. The solution is within us. We must be worthy of the
memory of those who did their work virtuously. For being worthy of our
greats, one doesn’t need to be a hero; one simply has to do his work
diligently. Rest assured that this way you will be making Armenia one
of the safest countries in the world. All political and civil forces
in Armenia and in the Diaspora, and the Republican Party of Armenia in
particular today, along with other tasks, have a mission – to reach
agreement within themselves and with each other on issues of democracy
in Armenia, the rule of law and all other related issues. These issues
are part and parcel of the security of Armenian citizens.
Struggle for power is a natural phenomenon; however, no matter who is
in power, the leader will face the same problems, which are the
problems of Armenia and the entire Armenian nation. No matter who is
in power, the leader will need agreement and broad public support to
work more efficiently. Public accord is a force which can ensure
incredible results for any good initiative. At the same time, that
very force will always stop the ignorant and reckless, preventing them
from conducting unjustified experiments in our country.
Dear Colleagues,
There is no doubt in my mind that we will win and will see the Armenia
of our dreams – strong, prosperous, and secure. And it will be
achieved not only because of some favorable external conditions. We
will accomplish it ourselves, at our own expense. The intellectual and
moral charge of the Armenian nation is not in the least exhausted. On
the contrary, we have powerful sources to recharge from – in our near
and distant past, as well as here and now.
When Leonid Azgaldian articulated his famous maxim, he meant not only
Artsakh – he meant Armenia and the entire Armenian nation – This Is
Armenia, period.
This is Armenia where we are raising a new generation. This generation
will be stronger than us – mentally, physically and morally. No one is
allowed to shut up young people and stop them from taking to the
skies. They have serious things to do and will do it, but not before
they realize the most important thing – this is Armenia, period.
This is Armenia where we have formed a powerful army which is not to
be fooled around with. The Army is our iron anchor of safety,
security, and eternity. This is the Armenia which those with unclouded
reason are wary of. In the middle of the night, the posture of a young
soldier standing in the mountain snow is telling everyone, this is
Armenia, period. No one is allowed to disjoint Armenia behind his
back! I have said this on many occasions, and will repeat for those
who do not get it – no one is allowed. Patience, indulgence and
tolerance have their limits. And we have set that limits precisely:
these limits are the limits of Armenian law.
Let us not forget: This is the Armenia which is watched by millions of
Armenians living abroad. They watch us with hope, desire and
anticipation of positive changes. Sometimes, we are watched through a
magnifying glass; they rejoice and despair with us, and they are
right. The power of the Motherland is a great power. Let me give you
one example: Once a French Armenian told me that in his workplace he
never had the opportunity to tell his co-workers about his Armenian
origins. But several days after the liberation of Shushi, he could not
resist the temptation. He began speaking about his being an Armenian
proudly and loudly. Our success can bring back even those who are
headed towards assimilation. Only one thing is needed -people should
not be embarrassed but proud of Armenia’s image, and that image is
shaped by us. Whether French or Syrian Armenians – they all comprehend
alongside all its problems this is Armenia, and that says it all.
Yes, there are many problems, but there also exists a power to solve
those problems – our people, the masters and guardians of Armenia, of
Armenia which today is embarking upon a new historic era. This new
will era must not inevitably come through revolutions or wars. The
experience of successful countries proves that achievement acquired
without effort may be lost as casually. Only that which is created
through peaceful and effective work shall be enduring. We have taken
that unwavering course: that is exactly what we are doing.
I say: we will persistently cast aside everything that is bad and
wrong in our work and in our daily life. Towards that end, we have
already taken numerous steps, which are yet to yield results. The
endgame starts now, the winning endgame.
This is new Armenia, period.
This is Armenia of the freedom of speech and democracy, period.
This is Armenia of the rule of law and respect for rights, period.
This is Armenia of economic freedom and competition, period.
This is Armenia responsible for all nations, all citizens living here, period.
This is Armenia that respects all of its international commitments, period.
This is Armenia that remembers its past, draws powerful charges from
it, but also Armenia that jettisons old debris and creates a new
history, period.
Long live Armenia!
Forward, towards secure Armenia!
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.armradio.am/en/2012/12/15/president-serzh-sarsgayns-speech-at-the-14th-extraordinary-convention-of-the-republican-party/