The Chairman of the ADL of Artsakh, member of the ADL Central Board, Tigran Galstyan, answers the questions of «Ramgavar Mamoul».
–For what reasons did you join the alliance formed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh, Masis Mayilyan, on the basis of which you will participate in the upcoming general elections in Artsakh in March?
First of all, let me say that it was not we who joined the alliance created by Masis Mayilyan, but rather the three parties were able to bring together our ideas and goals, form an alliance and support the candidate Masis Mayilyan. That is, the idea was born several months ago, and it took its final form at the end of January, after the signing of our final declaration.
–Overall, the ADL is considered one of the traditional parties that has only recently begun to expand its activities in Artsakh. What are the difficulties faced by the ADL Artsakh body today, what problems are you confronting?
As one of the traditional parties, the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party began its formation process in Artsakh in the spring of 2015. Unfortunately, for a year and a half, state registration was not granted by the Artsakh authorities, for certain reasons. Subsequently, after the revolutionary processes taking place in Armenia, we were able to register as the Ramgavar Azadagan Party of Artsakh. It is true that it was a new idea in Artsakh, because until then, among the traditional parties, only the Dashnaktsutyun had been active there. However, our entry into the political field of Artsakh brought new interest towards the traditional parties, and today, with slow steps, we are trying to root our presence and also present our ideology to the broad strata of society.
–How do you assess the political life of Artsakh? And in that same regard, what expectations are there regarding the new authorities of Artsakh?
If we are to be honest, the initial assessment is not encouraging, because Armenia’s impartial position has led to a situation where the positions of the players in the Artsakh political field are unclear, especially the part left over from the former authorities, who are trying to reproduce themselves through the introduction of the former plunder, the former monopolised economy and the use of leverage. And Armenia’s current authorities, unfortunately, are not yet lending an ear, and the expectations from Armenia’s position are very great. After all, we have taken the path of justice and a clear change of power, the path of the new, therefore for us the clear political formulations and the necessary support of the new authorities of Armenia are also important.
–What are the main problems of the population of Artsakh today? And in that regard, what are the general expectations from the new authorities resulting from the upcoming elections in March?
The main problem of the people of Artsakh and the Armenians of Artsakh is, first and foremost, the removal of the current monopolistic regime and the establishment of true democracy, which will serve as a basis for the harmonious and effective development of all branches of the economy. Without the establishment of the foundations of democracy, without the implementation of fair and transparent elections, no expectation can be had, and our hope, after the revolution in Armenia, is the holding of fair elections in Artsakh for the first time in the last 25 years and the victory of the new, which will bring development and democracy.
