TWO CONGRESSES, TWO MESSAGES: SARGSYAN, TSARUKYAN SPEAK ON PROBLEMS FACING ARMENIA
ANALYSIS | 17.02.14 | 09:38
By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent
On Saturday, February 15, Yerevan saw two congresses – the gathering
of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and that of the Yerkrapah Union
of Volunteers. Speaking at these congresses, President Serzh Sarkisian
and PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan held a remote debate on issues crucial
for the country.
Sargsyan tried to answer questions being raised in society and in
parliament that relate to domestic issues – out-migration, economic
policy, the mandatory accumulation pension system, and foreign policy,
in particular, the benefits from Armenia’s joining the Russian-led
Customs Union.
Tsarukyan in his speech, in fact, accused the government of stifling
small and medium businesses, of tax terror that leads to emigration
and the flight of capital. He said he could invite wealthy Diaspora
Armenians to Armenia, but he cannot give them guarantees.
Sargsyan in his speech did not give such guarantees. Speaking about
emigration, he said that the problem concerned him as well, but the
numbers are not as scary as to talk about them in tears. He said
that about 31,000 people annually leave Armenia for good, but he
did not cite figures on how many people have to travel abroad for
seasonal work.
At the same time, Sargsyan spoke about major projects, particularly
in the mining and fish-breeding industries that he said will provide
jobs. At the same time, he said that the mandatory component of the
new pension law will also tie citizens to their country.
Both Tsarukyan and Sargsyan spoke about trust. Sargsyan stated that
“in front of us we have an old enemy – disappointment and disbelief,
the underestimation of our forces, the inability to see the light at
the end of the tunnel.” The government has begun a series of major
reforms that are designed to reduce uncertainty, said Sargsyan,
adding that these reforms need confidence in the future of the state.
The PAP has answered with an intention to initiative a process of
passing a vote of no-confidence in the government. “On our today’s
agenda is the question of confidence in the government, and four
non-coalitional forces may come to agreement on this issue,” said
member of the PAP Political Council Vartan Oskanian. “Issues related
to the accumulation pension system, gas prices, the quality of life
and emigration – all this concerns the work of the government. But
we do not rule out anything. We know who the main responsible is,
and we will take an appropriate decision when time is appropriate,”
said Oskanian.
Both politicians have called for consolidation, but Sargsyan spoke
mostly about intergenerational solidarity, asking veterans to help.
And PAP stated about openness for cooperation with other political
parties. “Those who do not understand that in order to address the
problems and challenges Armenia needs a broad social and political
consensus do not just realize the gravity of these problems,” said
Tsarukyan. Extra-parliamentary forces and, most importantly, the
society, must join us, he said.
Prosperous Armenia suggests that all political forces, active social
circles together draw a joint political, social and economic agenda
and roadmap.
At the same time, on the eve of the Congress, during a meeting at the
Ministry of Urban Development, President Sargsyan, in fact, marked
the opponents of his police. “Some TV channels, print newspapers,
several dozen websites, four parliamentary factions, a large number
of non-parliamentary parties, dozens of politicians who are partly
dismayed at the power, from morning till evening vilify and demonize
the events taking place in the country and our work,” said Sargsyan.
http://armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/52041/armenia_president_serzh_sargsyan_convention_gagik_tsarukyan