Candidate for the Presidency of Artsakh, Mr. Masis Mayilyan, answered the questions of “Ramgavar Mamoul”:
-Mr. Mayilyan, how is your campaign proceeding, what is the attitude of the people, and what expectations do people have?
The campaign was proceeding very effectively; our political team was using all public platforms to present our concept of radical reforms to the voters. But the main emphasis was on simple and direct contact with people in various communities, also to ascertain their concerns and ideas related to reforming the country. I can say unequivocally that the people are receiving our ideas and our team’s will and determination to carry out radical reforms very well. Enthusiasm is noticeable among the people.
However, the new situation related to the “Corona” infection forced us to make adjustments in our campaign tactics. I must say that I was the first to resort, based on the new situation, to a new form of communicating with voters—the Facebook live broadcast. We have also limited meetings in enclosed spaces, reduced the number of outdoor meetings as much as possible, and provide participants with the necessary hygiene (cleanliness) supplies.
We are doing everything in our power so that, with joint efforts, we come out of this ordeal without losses. This is the most important thing at this moment.
-At this stage of the pre-election campaign, you surely, as a candidate running for the office of president, have a clear program. We would ask that you briefly present to the readers of “Ramgavar Mamoul” the main points of your program:
To bring the development of Artsakh to a more effective level, systemic reforms are necessary. The crystallization of the socio-political order within a structure based on the principle of dividing spheres of political and economic influence is unacceptable. Business and politics must not be intertwined within a single united group, and the same individuals must not appear both as businessmen and as statesmen, because other individuals are, in fact, deprived of the opportunity to pursue an independent economic policy, resulting in a disproportionate polarization of incomes among different social groups. A number of fundamental legislative acts will be adopted that will guarantee the freedom of the political sphere from the dictates of capital.
The fight against corruption is extremely important. Corruption is one of the main evils of the state, which undermines economic development, hinders democratization, kills competition, and neutralizes all prospects of being a competitive country in the region and the world. The penalties provided for by the anti-corruption law will be tightened, and a commission for the prevention of corruption will be established with the broad involvement of specialists and experts. The commission’s work will be based on the principles of innovative approaches, transparency, and ensuring accountability. We will also develop a methodology for assessing the integrity of candidates for public service, including candidates for judges.
We also view the need for a clear separation of the branches of government from this perspective. The genuine independence of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches will reduce corruption risks. The application of an effective mechanism of checks and balances will be aimed at greater involvement of citizens in decision-making processes.
I also particularly emphasize the establishment of the fourth estate.
-As of today, what are the important problems facing Artsakh’s statehood, and if you are elected president, which problems will you try to solve?
The most important, perhaps, is the issue of security. The new government of Artsakh must, on the basis of the RA security concept, develop a unified national security system in the fundamental spheres of military-political, economic, and legal affairs. We are one nation and one homeland, therefore, from a security standpoint, we share the same risks. The state interest of the RA and the Republic of Artsakh is identical in all spheres of military-political and economic security. Ensuring our national security also implies the systematic neutralization of overt and covert threats aimed at the erosion of the spiritual, cultural, and ideological spheres.
The political component of security is also extremely important. An insufficient level of democracy is also a threat to our people and state, as is the insufficient resource of sovereignty. The new authorities of Artsakh will do everything to bring the level of democracy closer to classical standards through the path of radical reforms, and will attach particular importance to independent and initiative-driven policy, to strengthening the resources for making independent decisions in solving the priority problems of our society.
Alongside taking effective measures aimed at ensuring military balance in the conflict zone and the constant modernization of our armed forces, elements of “soft power” will also be applied to raise the level of regional security, particularly political-diplomatic means of deterrence vis-à-vis Azerbaijan.
-It is noteworthy that you have begun a new phase of cooperation with the ADL, which operates in Artsakh and is considered a young political force. What is the expediency of this cooperation, and what course will it take in the future?
I am extremely happy about this cooperation and am grateful to the Artsakh Armenian Democratic Liberal Party—not only and not so much for supporting me, but for assuming its political share of a progressive stance and the imperative of the day to reform the country at this historic decisive moment. Let me remind you that the “New Artsakh” alliance, formed from progressive forces and serving as my political pillar, comprises three main forces: the “Identity and Unity”, “Armenian Democratic Liberal”, and “Tomorrow’s Artsakh” parties. In the presidential elections, I am also supported by the “United Homeland”, “Future of Artsakh”, “Strong United Homeland” parties and the “Homeland of Equal Opportunities” civic initiative. We have also been joined by Grigori Sahakyan, the former leader of the “Trust” party, who was one of the main candidates for mayor of Stepanakert in the recent local government elections.
We intend to form a broad coalition in the future parliament based on the “New Artsakh” alliance and other allied forces, which will actively participate in the effective implementation of our concept of radical reforms. All our allies will find their rightful place in this process of radical reforms.
-There is no small number of people who express great faith in the reforms to take place in Artsakh. In that process, great emphasis is also placed on the importance of ridding oneself of the past regime. Do you agree with that notion, and will democracy indeed triumph in Artsakh?
We have had occasion to say many times that these elections are a struggle between the old and the new. By old and new, we mean the old and new systems. Our society faces new challenges that the current system cannot withstand. There is a problem of modernizing the system, while within the current system there is neither the resource for reform nor, by and large, the desire. Modernization will be carried out not only through new forces and new people, but also by involving professional and progressive workers present in the middle echelons of the state administration system. That is, we want to change the rules of the game of the system.
And in this regard, democracy has no alternative. It is the imperative of the day.
-What message do you have for “Ramgavar Mamoul”, as well as for the ADL circles, comrades, and masses of supporters spread around the world?
Please convey my warm greetings to all circles and supporters of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party. Cooperation with a traditional Armenian party is both honorable and binding.
In my pre-election program, a special place is devoted to relations with the worldwide Armenian diaspora.
The new government of Artsakh, aware of the need to effectively use the potential of the worldwide Armenian diaspora in restoring Artsakh’s economy and increasing the scale of repatriation, will impart a strategic cooperation character to Artsakh-Diaspora relations, urgently embarking on the formation of an appropriate legislative framework and the entrenchment of real guarantees of liberalism and legality in the investment sphere.
The reality of the world has changed; the content of the problems facing our homeland and our people has also changed. Numerous problems confront the entire Armenian nation, requiring new approaches to their solution. The agenda of our cooperation between the Homeland and the Diaspora must be discussed at a qualitatively new level.
Most importantly, in relations with the Diaspora, what must prevail is not only and not so much the financial component, fundraising, but rather the gathering of ideas, the fullest possible involvement of the Diaspora’s intellectual potential in the steady development of the homeland. And for that, the most precious capital is mutual trust. The new authorities of Artsakh will do everything to be a reliable and respected partner for the Diaspora.
The interview is by “Ramgavar Mamoul”
