Armen Martirosyan: Society needs real change of political order rather than personnel reshuffle

Armen Martirosyan: Society needs real change of political order rather than personnel reshuffle

Interview with the deputy of the Armenian parliament, opposition "Heritage" party member Armen Martirosyan

- What are the true reasons for the recent personnel reshuffle?

- The recent resignations and appointments should be considered together, as these opposed processes have one aim. Ahead of the parliamentary and presidential elections in Armenia in 2012-2013, President Sargsyan is trying to form a team which will enable the Republican Party of Armenia to become a relevant majority in the parliament. If Sargsyan has support in the parliament, it will be much easier for him to win the presidential elections.

- What are the priority reforms for Armenian economy?

- We should make our economy liberal and competitive. The shadow economy is growing, as total tax duty makes up 40% of GDP in Armenia. As a result, 50% of the whole economy is shadow. If adequate policy was provided in the sphere of the economy, the state could cope with a series of social problems, as all questions connected with national security are still of the most importance.

- Couldn't the previous economy ministers cope with this problem?

- Of course the former ministers could meet this target, if there had been the relevant governmental order. Today the president is trying to provide a policy of distance between criminal circles and authorities. However, in the context of unchanged political order, the result will be the same and won't take social interests into consideration. Society needs a fundamental change in the political order rather than a personnel reshuffle.

-  70,000 citizens left Armenia in 2010. Today, living standards are higher in the republic compared to those in the 90s. But migration isn't falling, it's growing. Why is this?


- This is problem number one. Small and medium-sized businesses began to migrate to Georgia. We are losing the people who develop the state structure, small and medium-sized businesses.


- What are the reasons for this?

- Armenia is not a law-governed state, and everybody wants to live in a country with, at least, minimal justice. Society doesn't believe in reforms anymore. Society needs social justice. Armenia lacks it, as the wealthy continue to grow richer and the poor grow poorer. This makes national security of the country unsafe. The authorities don't try to prevent this process. Small and medium-sized businesses fail to pay huge taxes and manage with corruption.

- Why are they leaving for Georgia?

- In Georgia the government provides a more comfortable environment for business development. There are examples of positive liberalization of the economy, such as Georgia and the Baltic states. I think our authorities should make a decision on the situation.

Interview by David Stepanyan. Yerevan. Exclusively for VK.

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