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VAZGEN MANUKYAN AND TER-PETROSYAN RENEWED RELATIONS

Politics

Renewal of relations between National Democratic Party leader Vazgen Manukyan and Armenian former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan didn't affect Manukyan's political stance.

“In 2005 I initiated a meeting with Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Unfortunately, he did not respond.

Today Vazgen Manukyan told details about his recent meeting with Levon Ter-Petrosyan at Karabakh Committee member Samson Ghazaryan’s place. This time the initiator was Ter-Petrosyan. We recalled the past and discussed some issues. We did not assume any obligations and neither reached any agreement. But we renewed our relations. I must confess that we had not met over the past 14-15 years,” Vazgen Manukyan said.

According to the NDP leader, they stick to their opinions in the political sense. They even argued on some points, e.g. over the events of 1996. According to Vazgen Manukyan, either he or Levon Ter-Petrosyan must be responsible for the presidential election of 1996. “People ask me whether we forgive each other or not. It is not a matter of personalities. What happened in 1996 was a shock that changed life in Armenia. I am sure I won the election, he is sure he won the election. But someone is definitely responsible for the outcome,” Vazgen Manukyan said.

“A president cannot merely say I have finished my work and I can go home. The responsibilities that you assume as the first president of the country last for the rest of your life. Therefore, a country's first president should spell out his opinion at least once a year and try to influence on processes. In a normal country, the first president should use his status in contacts with other countries to help solve national problems,” the NDP leader said.

Vazgen Manuklyan dwelt on his meeting with Raffi Hovannisian without revealing the details. As for a joint presidential nominee, Vazgen Manukyan said, “Parties' alliance is doomed to failure unless there is solidarity among the public.”