YEREVAN.- Presidential race is not a struggle between Serzh Sargsyan and Raffi Hovannisian, it is a struggle of people against the authorities, Hovannisian said on Monday, opening his campaign.

Hovannisian said he would come to power to serve people, pledging to increase pensions and funding for the science and army.

“180 thousand jobs will be created,” he added.

If he is elected, Yerevan will recognize independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“The border between Armenia and Turkey will be opened without preconditions by 2015. Javakhk will be a link connecting Georgia and Armenia. Russia will remain strategic partner but relationship will be based on mutual respect and real partnership,” Hovannisian said, addressing his supporters in the center of Yerevan.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am