Tuesday, 26 June 2007
RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan's Statement at RA National Assembly in Presentation of RA Government Activity Program
Dear President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia,
Dear Members of Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In accordance with Article 74 of the Constitution of the Republic Armenia, the Government is representing its program of activity to the National Assembly.
Before proceeding to the details of the Program of Government Activity, I would like to touch upon those approaches, the political development of which has led to the formation of the executive authority.
Following the May 12, 2007 parliamentary elections, as a result of political negotiations held within the National Assembly of 4th convocation, the leading parliamentary forces established a coalition and a party of cooperation to form a government.
A priority was the formation of a highly operational government of greater public trust that would build on the achievements of recent years by simultaneously focusing on the decision of those social and economic problems accumulated over the past several years.
The government, which represents an amalgam of coalition and cooperating forces, is going to do its utmost in pursuit of an effective and uniform policy.
Our country has covered a difficult path of statehood engineering. As a matter of fact, we have left behind the economic crisis, complex social conflicts, party and ideological contradictions to build a new life. As result, step by step and somewhat slowly for the time being, our life is changing for the better. We understand that there is still much to do on the way to the realization of our future goals. The future we aspire to will bring us a secure and decent life and the possibility of self-expression for each citizen of our country.
A chief pre-requisite for the development of our country is the spiritual unity of our people, the shaping of an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation and trust that is crucial to government efficiency. As Nerces Shnorali has best put it: "Unity is needed in basic matters, freedom is good for minor ones, while love is needed in everything."Actually, this is the spiritual basis for the construction of a democratic civil society.
We live in a rapidly changing world which puzzles us with global challenges. While drafting the Program of Government, we set ourselves the task of providing for the program's responsiveness to these challenges by proposing corresponding approaches and taking into account the best of the international expertise.
This ever-shrinking world, along with the emerging challenges, opens up new opportunities for Armenia. Our Government is obliged to take advantage of these opportunities proceeding from the following conclusions:
1. Economic, financial and cultural cooperation between States is largely based on the generally accepted universal rules.
2. There is no alternative to competition-based economic liberalization.
3. Free and creative individuals are the driving force of the 21st century society; they must be our competitive edge.
4. Modern information and communication technologies provide an excellent opportunity for the consolidation and cooperation of all Armenians to enhance our competitiveness worldwide.
Our region is a crossroads for the interests of different geopolitical forces and, therefore, contradictions seem to be inevitable. The best strategy for safe and sustainable development is the engineering of a democratic society based on the principles of liberalism in line with the international practice.
The government has set itself an ambitious task, namely to win international recognition in the regional struggle for competitiveness as a country providing better conditions for business and investments. This is the shortest way to becoming a regional center.
We must develop our competitive edge in mining industry, chemical industry, construction, agriculture and science.
Moreover, we should build up new competitive assets in such spheres, as education, public health care, information technologies, holiday organization, financial and banking services. Well above being accessible to the citizens of Armenia, high-quality services in these areas should by virtue of their competitiveness attract customers and investments in our region and - why not -all over the world.
Major enterprises in all of the above sectors have to be re-organized into public companies with social responsibility. The possibility of participating in the capital of these enterprises should be offered both to the citizens of Armenia and foreign investors. The Government is ready to support this process by creating favorable conditions, inclusive of participation in the formation of infrastructures.
The Government of Armenia will make every effort to ensure:
