Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan pledged to improve Armenia’s problematic investment climate and, in particular, tackle harassment of businesspeople by corrupt tax officials on an election campaign trip to Ashtarak. For the first time during the election campaign, Sargsyan publicly took a swipe at the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a junior partner in his governing coalition which is contesting the February 19 election with its own candidate, Vahan Hovhannisyan. Without naming names, the prime minister slammed Dashnaktsutyun leaders for saying that his victory would be bad for Armenian as it would mean that virtually all branches of government are controlled by Sargsyan’s Republican Party (HHK). “They say that if the president too is a member of the Republican Party the country will have a one-polar government and nobody in the country will be able to prod the president to do a better job with criticism,” said Sarkisian. “But you all know that I am the candidate of not only the Republican Party but also the Prosperous Armenia Party and many other parties and compatriots’ unions.” Sargsyan also had rallies in Voskevaz, Oshakan villages. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions the town square of Ashtarak united thousands of people. Sargsyan named these people symbols of credo. Sargsyan mentioned that due to this trust 1 billion 800 million AMD was invested in Ashtarak last year. “We also requested your vote during the parliamentary campaign, for getting the opportunity to form a strong government enabling us to solve the problems faced by the people and the state. “If, after the May elections, we hadn’t felt confident, we wouldn’t have been able to initiate such a large-scale reform program. And now I ask for your support, which will enable the newly-elected President of Armenia to be strong and independent of anyone and capable of solving all the other problems with your help,” he said. Unlike in his previous campaign speeches, Sargsyan avoided attacking his most formidable challenger, former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and only briefly criticized other opposition presidential candidates, notably Artur Baghdasaryan, who promise sweeping tax cuts. “They may say that they would cut taxes and raise pensions,” he said. “But miracles happen only in fairy tales. We don’t have any oil or natural gas reserves. The only way to make our people prosper is through labor, human resources. And the task of the state is going to be to open new workplaces, create favorable business environment so that the businessman would be able to work, pay taxes, which are the only revenue source of the state,” mentioned Sargsyan and added that he had ordered the head of the State Tax Service to publicize all the hotline numbers, which will help the citizens to ask their questions whenever they have such. This will be done soon through media sources. "However, only a desire is not enough to turn Armenia into a paradise", Sargsyan noted. According to him, the only source of income in the country lacking energy resources is taxes. "It is this factor that gave an opportunity to increase the amount of pensions and salaries by 60% in 2008", he said. “The state should rely on the initiatives and work of its citizens. If the citizen doesn’t wish to work the state cannot do anything only on its own. In order to become rich we need to work, pay taxes. That way we will be able to build schools, gyms and roads,” he stated. “I am not saying that all the issues are solved and that Armenia doesn’t have any problems any more. Our people deserve the right to live well. In about a month we are all going visit polling stations and elect a president based on his platform, polices and past experience. I am sure that you are a supporter of a powerful state and a strong leader. I am sure that the residents of Ashtarak will do their best to live in a prosperous country. We have to think about our young generation. Therefore, onward to prosperous Armenia, onward to a knowledgeable Armenia,” wrapped up the RA presidential candidate.
