In general, most of the parties have the same plans. There are many cases when the parties’ plans differ from the others based on formation. Sometimes, parties even copy from one another. The thing is that in most cases, founding a party is similar to opening a store-someone who wants to make it in the political field decides to found a party. Once founding the party, the founder assigns someone to write a “quick” two-page plan so that he can keep the formality. As mentioned above, most of the political parties in Armenia copy from one another and in general, the plans are not clear. We hear many expressions and wishes that have become quite common and don’t mean anything in particular. However, based on the parties’ outlooks on foreign politics, we can divide Armenian parties into two groups-the first group places high emphasis on strengthening ties with the CIS countries, especially Russia, while the second group wants to see Armenia strengthen ties with the U.S. and Europe. For example, the “Armenian People’s Party” (APP) headed by Stepan Demirchyan is aimed towards integrating into the CIS, reestablishing economic/political ties and communications with the CIS countries, as well as developing and strengthening political/economic ties with Russia. The party hopes that this will help Armenia and Russia become much closer.
“The main focus of Armenia’s foreign politics has always been and must be the strategic alliance with Russia,” as stated in the APP plan. The plan also states that Armenia must develop and strengthen ties with the U.S., member countries of the European Union, as well as other foreign countries. The rest of the points stated in the foreign politics section of the plan are no different from those stated in the plans of other parties. For example, the APP believes that Armenia must resolve the Karabagh conflict through establishing peace, it places emphasis on developing and strengthening ties with the Armenian Diaspora in order to “solve national issues”, etc. There are some issues that the APP and the ARF agree on, for example, passing the bill on dual citizenship.
The “Republic” party is aimed towards building a stronger Armenia, improving living standards for Armenian citizens, as well as uniting the people to solve state/national issues. The party believes that in order to unite the people to solve issues at the state and national levels, they need to create a new system of political values based on conservatism and world outlooks, Armenia’s active participation in regional and international integration, establishment and development of political, economic and cultural ties with other countries, etc. The plan of the Armenian National Movement (ANM) is much clearer.
“Armenia’s foreign politics must be aimed towards establishing peace in the region. Our party prioritizes Armenia’s full membership in European organizations and believes that it is necessary for Armenia to cooperate with regional countries,” as stated in the ANM plan.
ANM believes that the main obstacle standing in the way of Armenia’s current political and social/economic development is foreign politics-the delay of the peaceful resolution of the Karabagh conflict and the blockade. Armenia will develop socially and economically after it solves these crucial issues.
“The guarantees for an independent Armenia and national security are the well-equipped army, the developing and competitive economy and fair society, NATO membership and European integration,” as stated in the ANM plan.
Just recently, the “Rule of Law” party declared itself pro-Western and, according to the party’s plan, some of the crucial issues facing Armenia include the Karabagh conflict resolution, regional competition, firm diplomatic ties and security in international organizations and the region. The party plan also states Armenia’s participation in development and security programs, development of the Armenian-Russian alliance, cooperation with European structures, future strengthening of Armenia-U.S. ties as issues of significant importance. According to “Rule of Law”, the Karabagh conflict “must be resolved based on the package deal principle and mutual compromise benefiting the Armenian people.”
The “Foreign Politics” section of Samvel Babyan’s “Alliance” party plan states that the Southern Caucasus countries must disagree with allocating military bases in the region. The “Alliance” party is of the opinion that joining the European Union must become one of the major issues of Armenia’s foreign politics. Basically, “Alliance” suggests leading “complementary” foreign politics.
“Armenia-NATO relations must be strictly practical and balanced, without the allocation of military bases in Armenia (…). Armenia must collaborate with both the U.S. and Russia based on a two-sided contract,” as stated in the “Alliance” party plan.
According to the foreign politics section of the Prime Minister’s Republican party, Armenia’s foreign politics must be aimed towards integrating into the international community, increasing the role that Armenia plays, as well as developing mutual economic, political and cultural ties with foreign countries. The “National Renaissance” party headed by Albert Bazeyan is also aimed towards that and places emphasis on Armenia’s active participation in regional and international integration.
“Taking into consideration the social/economic, democratic and human rights development in the U.S. and European Union member countries, as well as their experience in government and their political/economic influence in the world, it is very important for Armenia to strengthen ties with those countries,” as stated in the “National Renaissance” party plan.
Artashes Geghamyan’s “National Unity” party plan states that Armenia needs to have good ties with the neighboring countries.
“There shouldn’t be any doubt that the forces tying the Southern Caucasus countries together are Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia (…). The U.S. and the European Union want to help the countries cooperate, make economic reforms and confirm the system of democratic values based on principles.”
“National Unity” believes that Armenia’s foreign politics should focus on the international recognition of the joining of Armenia and Karabagh.
As for the ARF, it is “striving to solve the issue of the Armenian National Committee-creating a homeland for all Armenians.”