President Armen Sarkissian: An important task for me at the moment is the following: not to let anger and anxiety change into political polarization and clashes

Within the frame of his consultations, aimed at getting information about the opinions and viewpoints of public representatives, President of the Republic Armen Sarkissian met with some heads of technology companies.

"We are having emotionally hard days, which are crucial for our nation. Anxiety and trouble fill everyone’s heart and soul," said the President. - This will take a long time. But this is just an episode in the history of our people. It is not the first time we have fallen. We must find the strength to stand up again. We must think about what to do next."

At the meeting, questions about the situation in the country, the future fate of Artsakh, and the trilateral document of settling the Karabakh conflict were asked to President Sarkissian. As for the signed statement, the President noted:

“It is a ceasefire document, not a Minsk Group. It is the only institution with the highest authority to determine the status of Artsakh. No one will change this. The status has not been decided yet; it is just a ceasefire. Therefore, the process must return to the Minsk Group as a matter of urgency. All issues should be discussed, and Azerbaijan ought to return to the Minsk Group."

In response to one of the questions, President Sarkissian emphasized that we have a problem of maintaining the country's stability. "We must not let debates, anger, and inner outbursts turn into mechanical steps. The important issue for me at the moment is to prevent anger, depression, and anxiety from converging to political polarization and clashes."

The President considered any clash or violence inadmissible. "Any person, the best and the worst, deserves to live and to be listened to. No one has the right to take on the function of punishing others. It is not allowed on both sides. The state and the government, represented by law enforcement agencies, have obligations; they should not allow such things," said the President.

The President of the Republic attached special significance to the analysis of our mistakes and flaws, and the work towards making our country powerful. "If we analyse what mistakes we have made and where their sources are, we will manage to come to the proper conclusions. And after that, if we have tolerance and respect for each other, we will sit together and think about our vision and strategy. By vision I do not mean a list of good and beautiful wishes, but a clear image: let us move into a period twenty years later and assess what the world and the region will be like, where our neighbours will be and where we shall be."

He stressed his steps taken in this direction, highlighting the ATOM initiative aimed at the development of science and technology in the country. "We have the potential to become a high-tech country today, but we are not doing anything about it yet," said President Sarkissian. - When we think about implementing the ATOM program in Yerevan, it is not only for creating jobs and developing science. It also aims at having a strong army, because that army will no longer mean to be soldier-based. We must become a small but powerful state of the 21st century. We must think about national unity. People from the Diaspora come and help; they sent money to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, but do you think that is the way? No, it is not. Every Armenian in the Diaspora must think of this country as their home. In this regard, we must eliminate the obstacles.

Who said that the talented youth, who have succeeded in business, politics and education in Germany, France and all over the world, should not have the right to come to Armenia and become a minister, because they ought to have lived in Armenia for four years and be citizens of the Republic of Armenia? Our greatest resource is our people. We must create all possible conditions for the talented young Armenians who have been educated and gained experience abroad to come and help Armenia.”

According to the President, being a small country, Armenia must open up to the world, create new friends and opportunities. “Let us open up to the Diaspora and to the world. By working well in this world, we can find new friends, new connections and balance. There are opportunities."