Yesterday Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan was asked in a news briefing after the NA and Government Q&A to assess the probability of appointment of President Kocharyan as Prime Minister after his term of office ends. The Prime Minister said he has no reason to doubt Mr. Kocharyan’s statement. “I don’t have any grounds not to admit Mr. Kocharyan’s statement. Neither do I have any grounds to doubt it. I don’t think Kocharyan has such intentions.” With regard to opinions voiced by some media and politicians that the conference of the Republican Party is delayed because the ruling elite is preparing for an early election, the Prime Minister said there is no reason to hold an early election. “This is the first time I heard about it. I have stated for a number of times there is no reason to hold an early election in Armenia. Everyone knows about the decision on the date of the conference of the Republican Party. If someone wants to think otherwise, to appear as a know-all and spread rumors, it’s their own business,” the Prime Minister said. “I am repeating once again we are going to continue our quiet political course. We’ll do what we have done during the Parliamentary elections.”
– How do you assess the return of the first President of Armenia to Big Politics?
– I think your question is wrong. What does the former President’s return to politics mean? In my deep belief all the presidents regardless of the first, second, third or twentieth they are always in politics in all countries. Otherwise politics will take care of them. It has always been like that. Your question would be right about former politicians, who may get active or passive. This is what the statement of Ter-Petrosyan proves. If you compare his speech with the analysis of the ANM press you will see that his speech is the reflection. Thus I don’t see any problem with that. The political life is getting active and I find it a normal process.
– Do you find it possible that Kocharyan would wish to become Prime Minister after his presidency runs out?
– I don’t have any grounds not to admit Mr. Kocharyan’s statement. Neither do I have any grounds to doubt it. I don’t think Kocharyan has such intentions.
– Was Ter-Petrosyan’s meeting with the ARF leadership surprising for you based on the previous relations of the two parties?
– I have already said it wasn’t a surprise for me. Not a big deal.
– In Moscow you have said that you will say in Yerevan who your main opponent is going to be.
– You were not careful. I didn’t say that. In Moscow I have said that I don’t consider the elections as collision among different politics. It is just an opportunity to present to people your visions about the future of the country. I am repeating once again we are going to continue our quiet political course. We’ll do what we have done during the Parliamentary elections.
– In Moscow you have stated that compromises are possible only when Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the latter will recognize Karabagh’s right of self-determination. Is your goal of staying in power going to be directed on attaining this? Are you planning to reach the two goals including recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity on part of Armenia?
– Yes, if as you said I am in charge of power I will be inclined to resolving Karabagh conflict in my foreign policy.
– Do you agree with President Kocharyan, who says that if Ter-Petrosyan runs during the election he will become a regular oppositionist?
– Please, don’t ask me to comment on Kocharyan’s statements. And let’s not rush. There is still time. We will speak when all the candidates are nominated.
– The ARF has its ministers in the government but is going to run with its own candidate. Do you as a Prime Minister think that the ARF ministers should be in cabinet while the ARF is running during the Presidential elections?
– If it’s so we will verify our policy.
– There was no political assessment given to the ANM in its time. This means that in past you haven’t taken care of the policies of the ANM administration. Now they are assessing your policies.
– First I think you say ANM just like I do. It means that there is nothing offensive about this. You say ANM member or Republican member. Secondly every government, every new government must strive to uniting. The new powers must try to share their own visions with the society and not name labels about the former or the incumbent governments. Because it is the people, who judge the activity of each government. And if someone is trying to criticize us it doesn’t mean that this is what people are saying. It is only the subjective opinion of a person. And our country is liberal thank God and we accept freedom of speech. Everybody can say whatever they wish. But the politicians must try to value their words.
– What is your opinion about the assessments of the former Prime Minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan about the economic policies of the current government?
– I don’t major in economics and am not going to debate about economic matters. I relate to his theses in two aspects as head of the government. He said that the government program we are offering is good but could be a better one. And also is curious whether we will be able to implement it. We will be able to implement our program because we have a political will, a good team of experts, economists, etc. As of the first opinion of course the program could be better. That’s why one of the great thinkers said that “the best is the enemy of the good”. Next time we will try to make a better program. Mr. Bagratyan claims that the numbers we are mentioning in the program are not realistic. I think it’s not a scientific approach because of one reason. The scientist doesn’t base on the numbers. He bases on processes. As of the numbers everybody knows that our Statistics Service applies the same methods for statistics as similar services in the EU states. Our statistics service is one of the best in Europe. I didn’t say that. It is the opinion of the World Bank and a number of international organizations.
– It became known that the government of Great Britain has applied to the World Bank to investigate the program of water measure devices, which was realized in Yerevan. Your comments about that.
– We have already commented about this. It’s not a new issue. Years ago that British engineer, who was working with the Italians went to work for the French but those refused. Later other processes took place and he applied to the World Bank. The WB inspected and found no serious violation.