Vazgen Manukyan
Leader of National Democratic Union (NDU)
Background Information
1. National Democratic Union (NDU)
2. The party was founded in 1992. It counts 3000 people. It has approximately 56 territorial subdivisions.
3. One seat in the Parliament of the country, no governmental portfolios, and not represented in other
branches of power.
Answers
1. Membership to EU is included into our party program, but we believe that it is not the time for
membership to NATO. However, this question is on the agenda for discussion in the party, too. Now we
are more interested in economic and political integration into the European structures, and the questions
of the military presence of NATO are somehow connected with the issue of Karabakh. That is why it will
be necessary to make an arrangement with NATO on this matter.
In order to become a full member of EU we, firstly, should become a democratic state where fair elections
take place (which does not happen now). There are a lot of other problems but the issue of holding fair
elections would solve most of them. If there are fair elections, normal political processes will start
in the country. And the issues connected with the freedom of speech, human rights and so on, all of them
will get settled. In the given context legislative changes are required and we are supporters of making
amendments to the Constitution of the country, the separation of the judicial power from the executive
one and empowerment of the role of the Parliament. These changes can contribute to the organization of
normal elections. On the other hand, there are some signs of existence of civil society in the country,
which along with its formation will demand enforcement of law.
2. The policy of integration into the European structures in my opinion is a measure which has no
alternative and is caused by the current situation in the international relations. The independence of
the 19th century is lost and now there are completely different links among countries. Today countries
are united into blocs - political, economic, and they make up “families”. The most prospective and spiritually
closest one to us is the family of the European states. This is why the given option has no alternative
for us, as there is no other “family”.
3. Closer relations with the European structures will bring to strengthening democracy, human rights,
economy and resolution of issues connected with security. From the viewpoint of security, we take into
consideration the fact that in any case we will find ourselves in a family which will imply the existence
of certain obligations towards one another regardless of us being member of NATO or not.
Closer relations with the European structures will also bring to introduction of the European norms into
social, societal and political relations. The receipt of pecuniary aid is not excluded, but this is not
the important element of relations. It is much more important to take the route towards development of
economy as we will not go far by means of the aid only. No country has risen to its own feet by aid only.
Of course, we need some assistance but I think that integration into the European Union will contribute
more to development of economy as it is not developed enough at this point. Cooperation in the field
of development of the economy will be expressed by investments. Our country is very small and production
of goods for the internal market only cannot contribute to development of the economy. Thus, the European
integration will give us investments and a big market.
4. The most challenging obstacles on Armenia’s way to integration into NATO are: the issue of security
of our country and the Karabakh problem. To my mind, the question of Armenia’s joining NATO and the resolution
of the Karabakh conflict are interconnected, and it is meaningless to join NATO without any solution
to the Karabakh issue. Most probably, NATO does not want it either. We need first to resolve the Karabakh
problem and only after join the NATO. I do not think that in this case the reverse order will work.
The most difficult thing for the EU integration is extending democracy – elections, freedom of speech,
human rights. These questions should be solved not only at the legislative level. Laws can be good but
not enforced and society by itself should demand the reinforcement of those laws from the power. Here,
existence of an independent judicial power is important too, as all the disputes should be settled in
courts and we do not have an independent judicial power. This problem is typical not only for us, but
for the whole former Soviet area. In this direction legislative decisions and amendments to the Constitution
are needed. And it is hard to say how long it may take. Amendments to the Constitution will not take
long, but in order for the main law of the country to become a norm of behavior for judicial power and
the whole state, some time is required. However, I think that it will not take long as the European values
are quite acceptable for the population of Armenia. The Armenian people want to live in such a society.
We have no estrangement from the European values.
5. The European civilization appeared on the basis of Christianity. We are also guided by Christian
norms, and because of this all the values connected with the individuality, tolerance, development of
economy, based on private entrepreneurship, questions of democracy and human rights are considered as
the standards which should be adopted. Nevertheless, every civilization can have problems with perception
of some values. In particular and unfortunately we are always pointed at Europe regarding issues of homosexuals
and sexual minorities. I think that these people should not be persecuted but to let them marry and have
children, in my opinion, is stupid. When you are following a definite way, and human rights acquire special
importance at one of the stages, this sometimes leads to unpleasant consequences.
6. And why not? Now
the foreign policy of Armenia does not quite reflect the will of the people. Though in the case of integration,
the official policy declaring European orientation and the will of the people coincide. But in many other
issues the foreign policy of the country does not always reflect the will of the society. For example,
sending Armenian contingent to Iraq – this is the will of the power structures and not that of the society.
7. I do not think that participation of the countries in the region in programs of NATO, EU and CIS
are mutually exclusive phenomena.
Of course, we would like to have good relations with all countries regardless of their being integrated
into EU or not. However, the two of our four closest neighbors – Turkey and Azerbaijan – have blockaded
the roads for already more than 10 years. Until recently there were constant problems on the roads because
of a permanent chaos in Georgia. So the only road connecting Armenia with other countries, by which we
could get food and survive hard times, was the road through Iran. That is why we have special relations
with Iran and they have a deep basis underneath. In addition, Armenia has always been at the junction
of the fight between Christianity and Islam, and the more severe the fight was, the worse it was for
us. That is why we highly appreciate friendly relations with a country who has publicly declared a Muslim
course. We should maintain these relations as this is vital for us.
As to the relations with Russia, after the Genocide in 1915 and for a very long time many Armenians,
losing faith in the possibility of surviving in this territory, linked their hopes with Russia, which
seemed to be a guarantee of security. This position is present until now. However, the EU integration
and possible acknowledgement of the issue of Genocide by Turkey will gradually decrease the hopes connected
with Russia, because in this case the security will be provided not only by Russia but also other structures.
We would, of course, like to have partnership with Russia and EU, also because Russia has taken up the
policy of closer relations with the EU. That is why I do not see big contradictions here; however, integration
into EU is more important to us, but not at the expense of hostility with Russia. I do not think that
Europe will put forward such a question.
8. I think that complete provision of security is impossible. The East Cyprus can serve as an example
to it. Greece and Turkey were in NATO but it did not prevent the military action in the territory of
Cyprus. That is why I think that integration into European structures partially solves the problem of
security. Other guarantees are needed too; in particular, territorially we need to have other blocs too,
starting with the Caucasus and up to the Persian Gulf. There are many issues here: territorial, economic,
national, solutions to which should be sought in the degree of integration of each of those countries.
The countries should also sign pacts on non-aggression and mutual assistance. Thus, safeguarding security
by means of EU only is a hard question.
9. I cannot see any problem here. The only question that arises from time to time is the issue of
Nagorno Karabakh. All the other issues are natural and we think that integration of the South Caucasus
is of a big significance for the future of Armenia. After the resolution of the Karabakh problem, Armenia
will become the most active country, interests of which will coincide with interests of the EU.
January 20, 2005
