Presidents says tomorrow's economy requires modernization of administration mechanisms

YEREVAN, March 12. /ARKA/. Speaking at the 13th congress of the Republican Party of Armenia Saturday president Serzh Sargsyan said,' It is true that just as many other countries, we are influenced by global developments. Moreover, in our case there is a direct link between the economic growth and the amount of remittances coming to the country fr om abroad. Yes, unfortunately today the economic growth or decline in Armenia is greatly conditioned by the foreign factors. To be able to avoid it in the future, the economy of tomorrow must be formed today, which in turn requires changes and modernization in the governance and administration mechanisms.

We have to move from the objectives of economic growth to the concept of economic development. We need economic development just as much as economic growth, probably even more. Economic growth will not solve our problems if it is not based on the creation of the new areas of economy, new types of activities, new enterprises, production of new goods and services, especially because the opportunities of extensive development gradually diminish. All able people should be engaged in that process and there is no need for protectionism. Policies conducted by the state should support all, each and every one – equally.

We are undertaking structural changes and reforms based on this understanding. This is an objective process; it is inevitable and above any political force. The future belongs to the force which stands for changes.

Our Party has assumed a historic mission of spearheading Armenia’s reforms. We are a large party; tens of thousands are among our ranks. The time has come for us to increase and renew our qualities. Our activities result in changes within society and our country; hence we too should be able to change dynamically.

As a strong, large and people's party, we must accept these challenges, must accept easily into our economic agenda any new initiative, if it stems from our national interests, responds to the current problems and needs of our people and our citizens. That’s our Party’s present task.

I am not going to underrate, underestimate or neglect activities of any honest, working for the national interest Armenian political force or a party. Moreover, I am glad that our political life is diverse. However, it is our Party that through its capabilities and prospects is able to lead toward a new economic policy and new relations, toward more changes and modernization.

For years, we have been putting our strength and entire abilities into the Armenian state building. Led by “For you, Armenia” motto, we step by step have been building up our Army, raising efficiency of state governance, increasing flexibility in confronting external challenges; we have established the banking, financial, tax, treasury, justice and many other structures, improved the business climate, solidified foundations of the societal coexistence and fortified our country’s standing in the world. It’s not an overstatement – from this point of view, we have been rather successful. Today, we live in a reality when the state is mature to a degree that we can channel a considerable part of our resources to the resolution of other important issues.

From now on, our activities will be focused on individuals, on each and every one, on the citizens of Armenia. Economic growth will become a concrete job for a concrete person; from now on in our country having a job and a decent salary will not be the most desired things. We have strengthened the state; we can also resolve primary problems of the people. We need change. We, all of us together will implement these changes through the experience and leadership of the Republican Party.

We were saying – For you, Armenia! Now we have reached a milestone when we can state with confidence – A better Armenia for each and every one of us!

The atmosphere of pessimism and desolation, which has its own slogans, took shape in our society. No hostile propaganda is able to inflict as much destruction as those slogans which are voiced frequently and sound something like this, “There is no law in this country and never will be,” “Nothing is going to change, it will go on like this,” and the bottom-line – “This is no country at all.”

I say, this is an enduring country whose historical and cultural heritage is priceless. This is a country every square inch of which was salvaged by the Armenian blood. This is a country, whose people gave up their lives to save books. This is a country which fought quantity with quality, which put morals against petrodollars, and which won right before our eyes.

This is a country which is reckoned with and spoken to with esteem. This is a country which is missed and whose soil is kissed. This is a country which implements the most profound reforms and which despite every possible obstacle is moving forward. This is a country wh ere talented and hardworking people live. When necessary, they were able to start from the scratch and achieve unbelievable results.

Who said we can discredit our country, flagellate ourselves?

Our grandparents, who survived heroically, when the entire world thought that the Armenians were done with? Or our children in the frontier villages, who go to school and excel in their studies? Who will dare to look into those children’s eyes and say “This is no country at all?”

I say, this is an enduring country which has a formidable backbone – its heritage and has bright eyes looking into the future. This is the most beautiful country in the world, and it will be even better. -0-