Armenia’s premier Serge Sargsian announces his presidential candidacy

YEREVAN, November 12. /ARKA/. The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) nominated during its sitting on November 10 RA Prime Minister Serge Srgsian’s candidacy for the presidential election on February 19, 2008.

The party approved Sargsian’s candidacy after he was elected RPA Chairman RPA. After the untimely death of RPA Leader, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian in March 2007, Sargsian became the acting Chairman of the party.

Taking into account the great services Sargsian has rendered to the country, the challenges and the necessity to continue RPA ideology in Armenia, his nomination was predictable, said RA NA (National Assembly) Speaker, RPA Member Tigran Torosian during the sitting. According to him, even now the experts say that the most likely presidential candidate in Armenia is Serge Sargsian.

In his speech, RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsian said that the RA President should create an atmosphere of free economic competition in Armenia. “Intellectual property is a guarantee for the country’s competitive activities in the modern world. We should have an educational system based on international standards. This is a key issue which will open all the doors for the country’s development,” he said.

Sargsian believes the Armenian government should secure social welfare in order to shape a strong society, where dwellers of the remotest districts can live a better life.
The country is at the second stage of reforms, the priorities of which are national security and sustainable development, educational development and social security of Armenia’s citizens, according to the RA Premier.

Presidential election is an opportunity to implement the plans, not a sporting event, according to him. “I do not consider anyone my rival. We should show our skills to electorate, and not struggle against anyone,” Sargsian said. “We must struggle against certain problems which puts obstacles in the way of development. I consider it a wrong policy to struggle against someone.”

The presidential election in Armenia will be held on February 19, 2008. From November 21 to December 6 the RA Central Electoral Committee will accept documents on the nomination of presidential candidates. Z. Sh. –0--