YEREVAN. – Zhamanak daily spoke with Katherine (Kathy) Leach, the Ambassador of Great Britain to Armenia. Below is an excerpt from the interview. 

“How would you comment on the resignation of [PM Tigran] Sargsyan, with whom you have worked closely during his tenure? 

“From the viewpoint of the West, being in the position of the PM for six years is quite a long time. I assume that a number of events took place which dictated that the time has come to move forward. Of course, PM Sargsyan has been a great advocate of Armenia’s EU association talks.

“Even though it was decided on September 3 [, 2013] to end these talks and, now, he [Sargsyan] was the advocate of [Armenia’s accession to] the [Russia-led] Customs Union?  

“It is hard for us to understand the change in this decision. [But] I know that our EU partners appreciated his approach in Armenia’s EU negotiations, and considered him a constructive figure. 

“In your view, what should be the priorities of the newly appointed PM [Hovik Abrahamyan]?

“I believe President [Serzh] Sargsyan himself stressed that they are the economic issues. You need to ensure economic growth. [But] there are technical issues [, too]. In President Sargsyan’s observations, following the PM’s resignation, I was gladdened by the importance of a fresh vision, and the formation of a government which the people will trust. I hope that this too will be a priority for the new PM, and the new ministers’ cabinet he will form.”