More and more citizens will “enjoy” economic and political stagnation consequences

Mr. Urikhanyan, the Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) supports Armenia’s Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). How
much is this decision justified today amid the sad situation in the Russian
economy?   

There have always been difficulties in the Russian
economy and they will also be in future. When talking of our country’s
accession to the EAEU, one should take into account a number of circumstances,
particularly, Armenia’s real possibilities to ensure its own security. I have
repeatedly talked to European partners, and I should say that when we touch on
security problems, Europeans always smile. So, Russia is the only force center
ready to take such a task.

As
for the economic significance of the Eurasian integration of Armenia, here we
have the factors of cooperation in the energy sphere, the tariffs for the
energy resources and many other factors, such as the possibility of entry of
the Armenian goods into the 170-million Eurasian market. Moreover, we have
millions of compatriots working in Russia and providing stable inflow of
transfers, which are very much important for the Armenian economy. Giving of
the relevant status to our compatriots working in Russia and settlement of the
migration problems is an important factor in favor of Armenia's joining EAEU.
In addition, the international processes, including the difficulties in the
Russian economy cannot help affecting the situation inside Armenia.

How much ready is the Armenian Government for
these difficulties?

That’s a
rhetorical question, because we see that the measures being taken by the
Government are not adequate to the challenges. The PAP has repeatedly
criticized the economic policy of the Government. But today it is first of all
necessary to develop the real sector of economy, while the Government’s steps
are of spontaneous nature. Under such conditions, I am afraid the prices will
keep growing and more and more citizens will “enjoy” the economic and political
stagnation.  

What can you say about the domestic political
processes? At what stage is the creation of the nationwide movement
headquarters?    

Unfortunately,
the process of formation of the structures of the pan-national movement,
initiated by the opposition three of the Armenian parliament, is not so much
vivid or so much pleasant to the protesting electorate if compared with the
mass actions, rallies and demonstrations. However, formation of these
headquarters is necessary. Settlement of this problem requires bigger resources
and better organization than holding of the public events. The formation of the
headquarters is an honourless business, as in a certain sense it is hidden from
the community. But it is the basis, which the movement will repose on, if we
want to reach the final goal. And the final goals are the system reforms in the
political and economic life of the country, and the power shift.

When speaking of the shift in power, the PAP
prefers keeping silence of the President’s resignation. How much possible is
the shift in power without resignation of the President?  

We
mean an absolute power shift without any taboo and limits or exceptions.
According to the logic and accepted norms, all the officials who cannot provide
the economic growth, and the growth of the standard of well-being of our
citizens, should pass the reins of power to those who are able to perform this
task. If failed, any initiative on reforming of the political and state system
and on power shift, will have harder consequences. Therefore, the actions of
the three should be well balanced and thought out in details. 

What can you say about the business of the PAP
leader Gagik Tsarukyan and many other PAP representatives given their
participation in the protest movement? 

I am not competent to speak on this topic, because I have nothing to do
with business in general and with Multi Group Concern in particular. Theoretically,
I can suggest that all the negative phenomena happening to the business in
Armenia affect the specified Concern, too.