Stepan Demirchyan
Leader of People's Party of Armenia (PPA)
Background Information
1. People's Party of Armenia (PPA)
2. The party was founded in 1998, the number of local subdivisions – 53, Primary ones – over 1000. Membership
– 30000.
3. Six seats in the National Assembly of Armenia as part of the “Justice” fraction that unites 9 parties
and has 14 seats in the Parliament of the country. PPA is not represented in any other branches of power.
Answers
1. Our party is for integration into the European structures and democratization of the society. In the
first place we need democracy. It comes from the interests of our state and the people. We are for it
not only because it is fashionable to talk about it, but because it comes from our principles and beliefs.
The process should not have an imitational character: we cannot have two faces – to show one thing but
to be different inside, in other words, to imitate democratic transformations. It is definite that the
future of Armenia is in the development of democracy. Armenians believe in the European values that is
why the country’s integration policy is natural. The people and the society (and there are numerous speculations
on this topic) are ready for democracy and only a bunch of people who are in power hinder democratic
transformations in the country.
2. I have already mentioned that integration is in the interests of our society and state. That is
why PPA thinks that it will contribute to the development of social relations and economy of the country.
There is no real alternative to the integration policy.
3. Integration will contribute to introduction of the European norms to the social, societal relations
and contribute to the general development of our country. In the 21st century Armenia should not be isolated,
but, unfortunately, today we see the opposite. However, in addition to the integration processes and
in the context of globalization it is important to maintain our own national characteristics and traditions.
That is why now it is necessary to pay a special attention to the state policy in the sphere of culture
and education.
4. The anti-democratic policy realized by the incumbent power is an obstacle for development of our
country. Naturally, integration is hindered also by conflicts in the region. The democratization of the
region in general will enable to settle the conflicts in accordance with democratic traditions and principles.
5. First of all, “European standards” imply formation of power by means of holding free democratic
elections. This fundamental principle does not function in our country. And if the power violates this
principle, then all their talks on the European standards are not proper. We have different approaches
to the amendments to the Constitution. The bloc “Justice” suggested amendments to the Constitution, completely
consonant with the recommendations of the Vienna Commission. This would enable to provide a valid local
self-governance, a real and independent judicial power and will considerably raise the role of the Parliament
in Armenia. However, the authorities have rejected our proposal. This example itself illustrates the
differences between the words and actions of the powers. In our opinion, the most important thing is
to establish a tradition of respecting the Constitution and the laws in Armenia.
6. Not only the foreign policy but the general policy led by powers will reflect the will of the society
if the power is formed as a result of free democratic elections. The current power does not reflect the
will of the society because it has usurped the power and falsified the elections. In this respect the
task number one for Armenia is the establishment of a legitimate power. This is a prerequisite for further
democratic transformations.
7. The policy of the European integration, naturally, does not exclude maintenance and development
of friendly relations with those countries, which are not involved in that process. We think that we
should have good-neighbor relations with all the countries in the region. PPA is also for strategic partnership
with Russia, but along with this we are not pleased with bargains of a “Property for debt” kind.
8. We see the security of our country in the context of the security in the region. Hence it is necessary
first to build normal relations with countries in the region. It goes without saying that democratization
and integration into the European structures will contribute to the strengthening of our security.
9. In general, all the requirements on the democratization of the country and observance of human
rights are supported by us; they are consonant with the program of the party. The requirements on the
abolition of the capital punishment and the permission for activities of the sect “Jehovah’s witnesses”
just like a number of other requirements are not perceived univocally not only in the party, but in the
society, too.
February 11, 2005
