Epress.am News from Armenia
Armenia’s Independence Day yesterday was celebrated separately by the opposition and the ruling authorities; that is, there is no unity, said Republican Party of Armenia Deputy Chair Razmik Zohrabyan at a press conference today.
“Levon Ter-Petrosyan said yesterday that the highest value for him is independence — however that it may be. I agree with that [statement],” said Zohrabyan, adding that independence must be celebrated together.
According to him, independence is Armenia’s “political religion.”
“We have to believe in it, no matter what political differences we may have. We could’ve celebrated together yesterday, let’s say, in Republic Square or some place. But the next day we would again present, fight [for] our policy proposals,” he said.
Zohrabyan noted that the opposition criticizes the government and vice-versa, but the two sides “have invested their luma [0.01 Armenian dram; a penny, if you will] in independence.”
There are more than 70 political parties in Armenia, said the MP, but, in reality, only 10 are operational. “I’m not saying bring those and shut them down, they’re disturbing [the others]. But already attention must be paid to established parties,” he said.
In the list of established political forces, Zohrabyan singled out the Armenian National Congress and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun).