Understandings such as human rights, market relations and free competitions are perceived as political categories in Armenia. Even you can hear expressions from people such as the following: “Why do I need democracy for? Anyway it doesn’t help my financial situation.” As for the authorities, they say that the government should first of all think about the social situation of people and then about democracy and democratic freedoms. In fact the economic situation and democratic freedoms of people are connected with each other. Free market economy and competition as a part of it are a result of exercising democratic freedoms. If the government provides equal competition opportunities for everyone, every person can make business and money. The more opportunities people have to make business, the more opportunities they have to make more money, thus their economic situation has the opportunity to become much better. This is the simple formula that is used in European liberal economies and a lot of institutions and systems are serving for this purpose. The competition principles which are considered classic are built based on this principle. The economies of European countries and the Euro Union itself as a joint economic system are built based on this principle as well. In the Armenian reality it is even funny to speak of economic development and wealth through exercising the right of making business independently. It is funny because of the fact that the economy of Armenia is totally controlled and based on monopolies and oligarchs. These are the reasons why Armenia does not enjoy the opportunities and benefits suggested by international institutions and organizations. The best examples are the New Neighborhood and Eastern Partnership projects, which in addition to human rights and effective management also provide an opportunity for economic development and numerous related tools. For example, the GSP and GSP+ projects are providing an opportunity to Armenia to export about 200 types of products to Euro Union countries on privileged conditions and almost with no customs payment. Of course it does not mean only exporting and importing products, but creation of a lot of new contacts and cooperation ties with these countries. The economic development relations are the best way to integrate Armenia with Europe, and such opportunities are offered by the mentioned projects. However the effect of this project is very small now because the competition in Armenia is weak, thus the country does not produce compatible goods to interest the European consumers. Compatible products can be produced only in conditions of economic competition, which does not exist in Armenia. Competition is possible only in case of providing equal opportunities and protecting the equal rights of people, which is at a low level in Armenia yet. In fact, it is a chain process, according to which democracy brings to economic development, and economic development is possible only in case of protecting people’s main basic rights and freedoms. As our government is making a choice between “bread or democracy”, we are walking in the place in this chain.
This supplement has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content of this supplement is the sole responsibility of “168 Hours” Newspaper and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union