Armenian News – NEWS.am presents the election promises of five parties and four blocs which had submitted applications to participate in the parliamentary elections of Armenia.
This time we will present the views of political forces on foreign policy, particularly, Karabakh issue.
Yelk (Way Out) Bloc
The Bloc considers that the first thing to do in order to solve the Karabakh conflict is to restore the military balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Concessions on the Artsakh issue are out of the question because of Azerbaijan's aggressive policy.
The condition to discuss any concession with Azerbaijan is to recognize the right for self-determination of the Artsakh people.
In case of victory, Yelk (Way Out) Bloc will start negotiations with the EU to sign Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement DCFTA). The Bloc considers that Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is wrong, as it will risk independence of Armenia and settlement of Karabakh conflict.
Free Democrats Party (FDP)
In case of victory, this political force will immediately suspend Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as it will not be beneficial and may eve worsen the indicators of Armenia in all areas.
FDP c believes that Armenia's obligations in the CSTO should be radically reviewed.
According to FDP, European integration is a priority of Armenia's foreign policy, Armenia's membership in the EU is a strategic vision.
Armenia's relations with Russia should be built on mutual benefit on the basis of equality.
Artsakh's international recognition and integration, as well as security is a priority task for Armenia's foreign policy. Peaceful relations with neighboring countries cannot be reached at the cost of refusal of national rights and sovereignty.
FDP will demand that OSCE Minsk Group not to give right its member countries to sell arms to Azerbaijan. The same concerns Armenia’s allies in the CSTO.
Congress-PPA Bloc
The Bloc's slogan is “Peace now”. In case of victory, the bloc is going to make efforts to implement the Artsakh conflict settlement plan adopted in 2007, proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group and Armenian authorities, restoring the Karabakh as a full party in the settlement of the conflict.
Congress-PPA is going to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions, excluding creation of an intergovernmental commission questioning the Armenian Genocide.
The Bloc considers that resolution of these two issues will give an opportunity to lift blockade of Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish railroad and air routes, to participate in regional economic integration processes and projects.
The Bloc believes that reconciliation with Azerbaijan will ensure the security of Armenia and Artsakh's right to self-determination.
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)
RPA's goal is that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is finally determined by the people of Artsakh.
RPA is going to support all the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to promote peaceful negotiations aimed at the fair settlement of the problem. The Ruling Republican Party of Armenia is going to continue working on the involvement of the Republic of Artsakh as a full-fledged party in peace negotiations.
According to RPA Armenia’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union has opened particularly broad opportunities for the economic development of this country. At the same time, the Republic of Armenia is going to consistently provide comprehensive support to the political and economic development of Artsakh.
Communist Party of Armenia (CPA)
Armenian communists consider that Armenia should continue negotiations with Azerbaijan within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, and Karabakh should become a party to negotiations.
Armenian-Turkish relations should be built without preconditions. Western Armenia is the historical homeland of the Armenian people, therefore Armenian-Turkish relations must be built, taking into account the historical realities.
In case of victory, CPA is going to strengthen and develop political ties with Russia and other CIS countries at the same time expanding cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union, the EU, China and other countries.
Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO) Bloc
The Bloc believes that Armenia should demonstrate a balanced approach in case of dealing with all geopolitical centers, aiming to raise the level of sovereignty and subjectivity of Armenia.
To achieve durable peace, the Bloc considers it necessary to maintain the balance of forces between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to rule out any unilateral concessions.
The key of the settlement of Karabakh conflict is in Yerevan, Stepanakert and Baku, but the final word belongs to the people of Artsakh. The Bloc believes that self-determination of Artsakh should be the main issue and then only the clarification of the borders of the Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan.
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party
ARF considers that the Artsakh issue is an integral part of Armenian Cause. ARF's position on this issue remains unchanged, Artsakh will be reunited with Mother Armenia. Artsakh independence is a temporary solution having strategic importance.
The Party proposes to strengthen the military cooperation between Armenia and Artsakh and to make efforts to involve Karabakh in negotiations as a full party.
The Party is going to make the Armenian Genocide recognition and compensation an integral part of its foreign policy agenda and to cancel protocols contradicting our national interests.
It is notable, that Revival Party and Tsarukyan Bloc had no provisions relating to foreign policy in their election programs.
