Armenia is not behind the curtain any longer, and the international community has focused its attention on the Armenian people, RA President and Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Serzh Sargsyan stated at the RPA’s 12^th congress opened today. “At present Armenia is not a small boat rocking in the waves of international developments. Rather it is an independent entity following its way, and it is not all that we wish for,” the President said. Serzh Sargsyan added that Armenia has a sufficient potential for progress.

Speaking of the events that followed last year’s presidential election, the Armenian said that Armenia would have been able to oppose the subversive plot if it had had full-fledged mass media, public and political institutions, strong civil society and highly professional law-enforcement agencies. “Underdeveloped public and political institutions, civil society and mass media provoke anger and destabilize the situation in the country. To prevent recurrences, we must make a tight fist,” the President said.

Speaking of the RPA, he stressed that the party has a potential for playing a leading role in implementing reforms in Armenia. “The RPA is not taking any steps that run counter to its own programs, honoring its pledges despite all the problems. The RPA is not changing its positions every moment, which is standard practice on the political scene. Our ‘yes’ is yes and our ‘no’ is no, and out partners can rely on us. We are able to listen and accept proposals, we are flexible and firm,” stated Serzh Sargsyan. He stressed it is times for reforms within the party, which will have its impact on society.

“The party’s democratization leads to that of the society. The RPA is not a one-leader party. It is not Serzh Sargsyan’s party. Serzh Sargsyan is just a member of this party,” the President said. He stressed that the RPA must turn into a public and political leader. He stated that the party first discusses the most important problems, which is the most serious test for them. “This concerns the Armenian-Turkish protocols as well,” the President said. Serzh Sargsyan stressed that the RPA does not violate the principle of plurality of opinions, which is often practiced by other political forces. “This means that, being in power, the RPA will never pressure its political opponents,” stated President Serzh Sargsyan