Two or three weeks ago, when it became known that that Khachatur Sukiasyan was going to run for MP in district 10, the journalists had been trying to receive answers to their questions personally from him.
None of them succeeded ion it because Sukiasyan wasn’t in Armenia. However, yesterday he personally met with the journalists in order to answer all the questions. The number one question, if it can be called that way, was what made Sukiasyan to run for parliament if he had voluntarily refused his mandate by announcing that he wouldn’t able to do anything in the NA. The tycoon was among several Ter-Petrosian associates who fled the country in March 2008 to escape arrest following deadly post-election clashes between security forces and opposition protesters demanding a rerun of what they believe was a rigged ballot. To that question Sukiasyan said, “The atmosphere created in Armenia did not allow me to work at the National Assembly. Today I have a good chance to enter parliament with my teammates and contribute to competitiveness in Armenia.” By saying ‘teammates’ the pro-opposition tycoon meant his allies from the Armenian National Congress (ANC). The ANC senior representative says he will have ‘good relations’ with the political forces chosen by public. "I have many friends from different parties and I keep in touch with them. I have been in parliament for over ten years now and have relations with many of the MPs up to date," he said. He is satisfied of the current activities of the ANC and denies allegations that he provided financial support to ANC. Sukiasyan himself informed this during a press conference on Wednesday. “I’m not that figure who needs to financially assist any political force. I deny that I financially assisted the ANC. I have been a member of the ANC movement, and I used my capacity to serve the movement,” he said. Sukiasyan didn’t concretely analyze the parliamentary elections. “I don’t have any predictions and analyses. I will be glad for every single ballot on my behalf,” he mentioned but also added that he thought the next parliament would include the ANC, RPA, Prosperous Armenia and Dashnaktsutyun. “Most probably some of the internal NA forces will not appear in the parliament and instead ANC will be there.” Is it possible that he would also be included on the ANC list? As a response Sukiasyan said, “I have left this matter to Ter-Petrosyan’s decision. If he decides so, no problem.” Sukiasyan doesn’t agree with the opinion that the voters will not vote for him this time because he refused his mandate in the past. As a response to this he said, that back then he had refused his mandate and he did the right thing. Moreover, he advised to recall who was elected instead of him and expressed an opinion that this fact will work on his behalf. Sukiasyan approves the presence of businessmen in parliament though the Constitution bans their access to the legislative body. If people aware of business appear in the National Assembly, they will greatly promote our economy. You all know that no progress has been recorded in the sector in the last twenty years. Our parliament also needs good economists," he said. Sukiasyan calls businessmen who strive to enter parliament economic actors who are also shareholders. "Both the president and prime minister are shareholders," he said. "Yes, the parliament should have businessmen MPs who can promote adoption of right decision with their experience and knowledge," he concluded. Having worked with young professionals who are aware of the world economic developments, Sukiasyan concluded that the main issue of Armenia is marketing and the lack of marketing specialists who could help to place Armenian products on the foreign market. He notes that this important issue could be solved by way of involvement of the Diaspora. The Diaspora specialists could market Armenian goods in foreign markets. Sukiasyan also said that he knows the nuances of the international spread of trademarks and hence he would like to advise the marketers to study psychology to know the preferences of different peoples. As to steps undertaken in the anti-crisis policy, Sukiasyan thinks there have been cosmetic changes mainly. He notes that the government needs to tax profits in the mining industry, and for this purpose it is necessary to connect the market with the international stock exchanges in online mode. Besides, Sukiasyan thinks Armenia needs a mineral processing industry to boost the GDP and consequently to boost economic growth. As of his business activities in Germany during the previous few years, Sukiasyan mentioned that it is hard to name it business. “I was in Europe to examine the European business because we need that experience here too,” said Sukiasyan and added that during this period he had participated in various discussions and meetings. To the question whether he won’t be questioned about the certificate of his 5-year residence in Armenia considering the fact that he was periodically outside Armenia, Sukiasyan said, “The document that the state body presented is being examined by lawyers. I was in Armenia and I travelled a lot. It doesn’t mean that I can’t run.” He pointed out that the success of his electoral campaign will depend on the society’s readiness to make correct decisions and a right choice. Moreover, he thinks that the constituency in Kentron district seriously differs from those in Hrazdan, where during the mayoral election the representative of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia gained victory over the ANC member. Sukiasyan pointed out that the authorities’ opportunities to rig the parliamentary election are limited.