Dictatorship blinded by petrodollars: President talks Azeri policies

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenophobia, militant rhetoric and armed provocations along the border have become an inseparable part of Armenia’s daily life for 20 years, President Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview with The New York Times.

“Today, the fragile peace in Nagorno Karabakh is the lynch-pin of peace in our entire region, and we defend the very peace of the region from the trespasses of our neighbor dictatorship, which is blinded by petrodollars,” the Armenian leader said.

“Our number one priority has been and will remain the security of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Fragile peace is better than victorious war. The maintenance of peace is our greatest achievement, and in the upcoming years we will continue to prioritize security along with economic development, the promotion of democracy, education and health,” Sargsyan said.

Commenting on the upcoming centenary of the Armenian Genocide, Sargsyan noted, “as human rights and fundamental freedoms have become of absolute value for the international community, subordinating the recognition of the Armenian Genocide to political interests contradicts the moral and legal norms of the current world order. The strength of the US is also conditioned by its commitment to these absolute values.

The US legislative body has adopted eight decisions recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It has been officially recognized in 40 US States. In the 1980s, the Reagan administration recognized and condemned the Armenian genocide.”

“Sooner or later, Turkey will have to come to terms with its own past and free itself by restoring justice,” The President said.

Dwelling on the U.S.-Armenian relations the President noted, “the United States is our largest donor state. Since Armenia’s independence, the United States has provided about $2 billion in humanitarian and technical assistance. Our two nations also cooperate to fight challenges to global security, such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

Commenting on the relations with the EU in the context of Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, the President noted, “we are committed to continuing our efforts toward seeking effective cooperation mechanisms with the EU.”

“Thanks to EU and Western assistance, our country has carried out important reforms in the spheres of democracy, human rights, rule of law and liberalization of the economy. We clearly realize that these reforms are not aimed at integration in this or that institution. First of all, these reforms are carried out for the benefit of our country and our people. I am sure that our Western partners share this view and will continue their efficient support to the democratic reforms in our country,” President Sargsyan said.