We Are Now in a New Crisis: Armenian President

The President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan, was the keynote speaker at the panel discussion titled 'The Cost of Living in Crisis' during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Khachaturyan specifically stated: 'Up until now, Armenia has periodically found itself in crises, which it attempts to overcome in unique ways. We have closed borders, which significantly affects our quality of life; this concerns Turkey and Azerbaijan. We also have the unresolved issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, which keeps us in constant conflict with our neighboring Azerbaijan. Just a year and a half ago, the 44-day war initiated by Azerbaijan inflicted severe human and material losses upon us, and the war was only halted after Russia's intervention.'

'Now we are in a new crisis, but we are managing to overcome it because the democratic principles we have adopted allow us to do so. The most important thing is the relationship between the authorities and society, how much society trusts the government, and on the other hand, how well the government understands the issues of its society. If there is dialogue between them, then both the issue of poverty can be resolved, the likelihood of new crises diminishes, and the country becomes more stable and manageable. The most critical point is not to betray the principles.'

'Our country’s experience shows this. From 2000 to 2018, our nation abandoned democratic values, and corruption was literally eating the country from the inside. We found ourselves in an extremely bad situation. In 2018, a velvet revolution occurred, resulting in a new government that breathed new life into all areas. Businesses felt freedom, people felt freedom; they could engage in business freely, without anyone obstructing them or demanding money. Political forces were given the opportunity to participate in elections under equal conditions.'

'The economy immediately grew by 7.5 percent in the following year. Entrepreneurs became convinced that the state was working with them according to established laws and rules, which imply timely tax payments and certain social obligations. This is an example that could interest everyone. The disappearance of corruption became a significant boost. When the funds spent in the country reach the people who need them, both poverty decreases, risks decline, and everything becomes more manageable. However, if it reaches a group of people who use it simply to maintain their power, this is fraught with significant conflicts. Of course, there are political motivations that often lead to blind eyes being turned, but I do not think this is the right solution in such cases. It is far better to be honest and sincere, especially with the people you wish to help, and to engage with them in all these programs,' stated the Armenian President.