HHK Spokesperson: “Armenia can teach good lessons to Azerbaijan”
Spokesperson for the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Edward Sharmazanov thinks that the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic can teach good lessons to Azerbaijan in issues of democracy. He thinks that in its annual report, Freedom House organization gave a biased assessment to Karabakh, including it in the "not free" category of countries.
The fact that Freedom House included Karabakh in the list of UN member states shows that the organization has virtually recognized NKR independence. Freedom House is a famous organization but sometimes it gives biased assessments. Karabakh is the most democratic country in the South Caucasus region.
And how do you view the organization's previous report where Karabakh and Azerbaijan fell in the category of "partly free"countries?
Karabakh cannot be compared with totalitarian and feudal Azerbaijan. If they really wanted to get acquainted with the situation in Karabakh, they should have visited the country during the parliamentary elections in May 2010. I was present in the elections as the head of the Armenian parliamentary delegation and I can assure you that Karabakh held fair and democratic elections.
Shall we witness any progress in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict in 2011?
Everything is theoretically possible, but in practice I do not see prerequisites for the final settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan should put an end to its anti-constitutional policy and let Karabakh become a full party to the negotiations.
How will you account for the recent reshuffle? Rumor has it that the chief of the RA Police and Defense Minister will also be fired.
Reshuffle is not an end in itself. Serzh Sargsyan has said many times that administration changes aim to enhance the productivity of work. The officials who do not meet requirements will be relieved from duties.
Parliamentary elections will be held in Armenia in 2012. recently, Heritage Party Vice-Chairman Ruben Hakobyan told A1+ that no political force, including the Republican Party, can say for sure that it will be represented in the parliament in 2012. What is your opinion?
I advise each political party to property evaluate its chances and activity. Regarding the Republican Party, I would like to note that the party is well aware of its chances and abilities. We are familiarized with the problems the country faces today and know their solutions. Republican is the most influential party in Armenia.
Do you mean to say that the party will participate in the elections alone?
We have not discussed the issue yet. Everything will be known as the day draws closer.
By Victoria Abrahamnyan
