Leaders of 48 political parties at the head of Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan have been trying to find a way out of the global economic crisis since early morning.
Only the leader of the oppositional Marxist Party, David Hakobyan, was present at today's roundtable. "I am here to provide first-hand information to the main opposition," said David Hakobyan. The parliamentary opposition faction Zharangutyun (Heritage) abstained from the discussion of political forces.
Only 48 out of the 63 invited parties accepted Serzh Sargsyan's invitation. Surely enough, the leader of the National Unity Party, Artashes Geghamyan, participated in the close discussion with his programme devoted to the crisis management. Geghamyan was the first to make a speech after Premier Sargsyan.
Leader of the National Self-Determination Union (AIM) Paryur Hayrikyan finds the discussion fruitful as besides hearing the stances of different parties party leaders (who can hardly be considered political figures) are given a chance to see, hear and learn something.
Paryur Hayrikyan notes that today Armenia encounters a much more dangerous crisis than the economic one. He says the Prime Minister instills hope to surmount the financial crisis by a reasonable usage of long-term credits.
"Provided that the programmes are successfully implemented and at least half of the credits get to Armenia, our nation will overcome the crisis without great losses," says the leader of the Armenian Ramkavar- Azatakan Party (HRAK) Harutyun Arakelyan.
Mass media representatives were banned access to the meeting. According to a tentative agreement, none of the participants detailed the discussion. They only expressed their options on the global crisis.
ARF-Dashnaktsutyun member Armen Rusamyan says after summing up all opinions and assessments they can find a solution acceptable by the public as "everyone is concerned about the crisis which can be overcome only jointly." In this view, Armen Rusamyan highlights similar discussions where political parties are given a chance to share responsibilities and determine activities. There were new proposals which were immediately welcomed and accepted.
Armen Rusamyan says that although the main tasks have been outlined, we should rely on our own resources and be prepared for the worst as no one is guaranteed against the worst scenarios. We must do everything to avert the shortage of staple goods."
