Gurgen Arsenyan
Leader of United Labor Party (ULP)
Background Information
1. United Labor Party (ULP)
2. The party was founded in 2002. It counts more than 2000 people, the local subdivisions of the party
function in all the marzes (regions) of Armenia.
3. The party is represented in the Parliament by a fraction of 6 MPs.
Answers
1. The issue of RA’s membership to NATO and EU is not on the foreign policy agenda of Armenia. United
Labor Party holds an opposite opinion thinking that the republics of the South Caucasus should be in
a common system of security, which in its turn, will certainly guarantee peace and stability in the region.
2. ULP strictly follows the policy of integration into the European structures considering it a real
stimulus for development of social relations and economy of our country. Integration into European structures
will enable to accelerate and deepen the democratic transformations in Armenia, to lay the foundations
for a democratic and legal state, a civil society and stable peace as a result of which a favorable climate
for investments will be created to ensure a quick leap in the economy of the country.
3. Consistent introduction of the European norms in social, societal and political relations can,
first of all, contribute to a closer relationship of our country with the European structures. As to
the national and societal relations, our party considers that this work should be targeted at strengthening
and development of our national traditions and customs, having the ultimate goal of building a fair society.
4. We are convinced that there are no complicated obstacles for the integration of our country into
NATIO and EU. Of course we have the burden of the past, and also some other problems, solution of which
requires transition from imitation to real and consistent transformations in the sphere of the state
apparatus, formation of a market economy, establishment of a stable peace and good-neighbor relations
with all the neighboring countries.
5. Comprehension of the expression “European standards” by our party is not formally different from
the official viewpoint. However, in reality our positions do not always coincide with the official ones.
That is why we presented our own project of the amendments to the Constitution for discussion in the
Parliament, which in many important questions differs from the project of the coalition majority of the
Parliament. The same is true about the Regulations of the National Assembly. ULP has a critical view
on the current budget policy. We are principally against any attempts of narrowing and limiting the field
of pluralism, be it in the socio-political, economic, or social spheres. Our understanding of the European
standards is described in more detail in the ULP program, according to which Armenia should be a state
of a European type.
6. The foreign policy of a country not in general, but in particular should reflect the will of the
society. By national interests we imply something other than the integral sum of interests of all the
citizens of our republic.
7. Participation of countries of the region in programs of NATO, EU and CIS are not mutually exclusive
phenomena. Our party ascribes a proper place to a close partnership with Russia, Iran and other countries
which are little involved or not at all involved in the process of European integration. Along with this
we think that Armenia should finally identify its priorities.
8. Undoubtedly, the integration of our country in the European structures will provide security.
9. The conditions included in the standard requirements for integration into European structures,
have not aroused any resistance in our party.
February 9, 2005
