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Democratic reforms in Armenia can occur only when the country is liberated from occupation and vassal relations with Russia. Democratic reforms can begin if Armenia's political parties, or at least one of them, presents a program of direct dialogue with Azerbaijan regarding the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Head of the Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives Georgy Vanyan expressed these views in an interview with Haqqin.az [RU].
According to him, the political force that has ambitions to implement democratic reforms has to present to voters a clear and comprehensible conflict settlement program that takes into account the interests of only the two states, Armenia and Azerbaijan — a program that proposes changes in these two countries' relations.
"Only then will we be able to say that a democratic transformation took place in Armenia. That is, it would mean that people who seek power reflect the real needs and interest of their voters, giving them a program aimed at development. Otherwise, those in Armenia who want power and those in Armenia who are now in power are servants of Putin and nothing more," he said.
Asked about Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's statement that he will never run for president again, Vanyan said:
"This statement, and the change of prime minister and other personnel reappointments are not even a commotion, but an imitation of commotion. All are involved in the process of concealing today's political image of Armenia, the political reality, the lack of independence, and Russian occupation: those in power, the opposition, the public. This isn't even a collaboration involving working with occupiers. I simply cannot find any precedents. This is an ostrich stomping its feet on the ground to raise dust and hiding the fact that his head is in the sand. These gymnastics Putin ordered on us."
Asked "How likely is Robert Kocharian's presidency?" Vanyan answered:
"There is such a possibility. And why only Kocharian? Levon Ter-Petrossian likewise can become president. The uncertainty of Armenia's domestic political life is the pledge of stability. Twenty years of experience is proof of that. That which is happening now and which will happen in the future will serve to increase this uncertainty. In this fog, Armenia has to survive the so-called integration into the Customs Union, the so-called constitutional amendments, and the so-called elections."