Varuzhan Gabrielyan: We Have "Measurable" Pre- Election Program

• 05.01.2015, 22:53
•  NKR,  Interview

"Armedia" Information, Analytical Agency presents an exclusive interview with the Head of "Peace and Development" Party Headquarter, Varuzhan Gabrielyan  on the upcoming May 3 parliamentary elections of NKR. 

- Mr. Gabrielyan, how would you assess the ongoing election campaign? Are all conditions provided for holding transparent and legitimate elections?

 - NKR Constitution and Electoral Code give that opportunity. We deal with another question when we are to comment on the organizational quality of the elections. Here we witness passivity of the state. If there was no interest of political forces in the electoral processes, possibly we would not know about  ongoing nationwide elections in Artsakh. For example, Artsakh public TV has not had at least one commentary on the campaign. There are no debates among political forces, there is no platform; the only source for the people to learn about the programs of the parties is the pre-election promises made by the candidates.  In the communities where the people are totally deprived or have little opportunity to get information (and there are many such kind of communities) there is only information administrative system. During our meetings in the region we have come across the above mentioned problems for many times. Naturally enough all this has its impact on the choice of the voters.

 - How would you describe the importance of NKR Parliamentary elections? According to you, can these elections secure progress in the NKR democratization process?

- This is the only path to democracy building in Artsakh. We still have such an opportunity.

- How much will the elections impact the change of the perceptions of the international community and the progress in foreign relations? Can we expect more efforts after the elections on increasing the subjectivity of NKR. 

OSCE Minsk Group issued a statement yesterday according to which they do not accept that the results of these elections can impact the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.  According to the Minsk Group Co-Chairs the elections cannot determine the status of Nagorno-Karabakh and the results of ongoing negotiations. Coming from the same logic it can be stated that any "progress" reached by the current format of the Minsk Group will remain on the paper, if the Co-Chairs and OSCE in general continue to neglect the right of  self-determination of Artsakh people. The real outcome of their mission is also decided here and on these days. 

-  What is your vision of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement?

- Our name speaks about our vision on conflict resolution. In our pre-election program we have clearly stated our future activities in the parliament: until the end of 2015 draft agreement is to be prepared between Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Republic of Azerbaijan on the cessation of armed conflict, establishment of peace and the reestablishment of cooperation. We plan to organize the public and inter-parliamentary discussions on the draft agreement in Artsakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2016.  

The vision of the conflict resolution should be formulated clearly and it is our mission to do that.

- What are the main peculiarities of your party compared to others?

 "The youngest" political force in the government is 10 years old. It is impossible to expect more from them. Although we are a party with young potential, but we have presented popular specialists in their spheres for professional parliament and we have "measurable" pre- election program in these elections.

We have no doubt that peace and development have no alternative in Artsakh and we participate in these elections with the slogan "Future is ours."