In an interview with NEWS.am, former Prime Minister of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan talked about the upcoming presidential elections in Artsakh, his relations with Bako Sahakyan and the possible political developments in the country.

NEWS.am: The presidential elections in Artsakh are still a year away, but there are already names of candidates, including yours. Will you be running in the elections?

Arayik Harutyunyan: I am declaring once again that the Free Homeland Party will make a decision on my nomination during the political party’s congress. During the congress, the Free Homeland Party will nominate its candidate, and the potential candidate is the leader of the political party. The political party will also elect a new leader, and we will announce the name of the candidate after that. If I make a statement now, I will commit a disciplinary violation. However, the political party is getting ready for the elections.

NEWS.am: Are you holding political consultations with other forces, including the authorities of Armenia?

Arayik Harutyunyan: Of course, we are holding political consultations with the political forces of Artsakh. We are also holding meetings with the public and political figures. Yes, we have meetings with Armenia’s political forces, but the purpose of our meetings is to discuss political issues and Artsakh-Armenia interstate relations.

NEWS.am: How are your relations with Bako Sahakyan after you resigned from the office of state minister? Do you consider yourself a member of the opposition?

Arayik Harutyunyan: On the day of and after my resignation, I have declared several times that my political party continues to bear responsibility for the cabinet of Bako Sahakyan with respect to its activities. There has not been, there is no and there will be no issue. As far as our relations are concerned, our relations are more cordial now, just like in the past.

NEWS.am: Have you and Bako Sahakyan discussed your possible nomination?

Arayik Harutyunyan: Of course, we always discuss it.

NEWS.am: Is it likely for Bako Sahakyan to endorse your political party’s candidate?

Arayik Harutyunyan: It seems to me that he will declare that the elections in Artsakh will be unprecedented and that the government will make sure the elections are in line with the requirements of democracy. I don’t think the President will endorse any candidate.

NEWS.am: Nikol Pashinyan has declared that business has to be separated from politics. You are a well-known businessman. If you are nominated and elected, how do you picture the combination of business and politics? Won’t there be a clash of interests?

Arayik Harutyunyan: I have been doing business for over 11 years. Yes, when I got into politics, I was one of the largest businessmen and employers of Artsakh and was mainly involved in producing and processing agricultural products. My organization continues its activities, but I don’t interfere. I am still the owner, but being an owner doesn’t mean being involved in business. If I stay in politics, I will follow the principle. I don’t consider producing bread in a liberated territory a crime. You can ask any public servant why he or she becomes a political figure. I was cultivating land, but became a political figure. If anyone can become a political figure, why can’t a person who cultivates land?

NEWS.am: Have the companies linked to you ever received privileges from the government?

Arayik Harutyunyan: If there is ever an occasion, I will release the list of companies that I am more or less linked to and the list of activities I have carried out in Artsakh. Those companies were legitimate and haven’t received any additional privilege.

NEWS.am: Whom do you see as an opponent in the upcoming elections?

Arayik Harutyunyan: There are no opponents. There are political forces with which we will collaborate to hold an exemplary political election. This is going to be a collaboration, not a competition. At least that’s how I want it to be.

NEWS.am: Is it likely for your political party to refrain from participating and endorse another candidate?

Arayik Harutyunyan: No, that is out of the question. We have declared that the leader of our political party will be the presidential candidate.

NEWS.am : Does the political party have a lot of candidates?

Arayik Harutyunyan: Yes, it does. We have several thousands of members and that many candidates. The decision will be made during the congress.