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On April 20 the NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov received the Irish journalist Daniel MacLaslin.

Expressing satisfaction for the interest shown by the Irish journalist towards Armenia and Armenian people Mr Sharmazanov expressed conviction that such meetings and direct contacts with the people will give objective picture to the journalist and will exclude any manifestation of partiality.

Daniel MacLaslin informed the NA Deputy Speaker that during the last two days he had been in Nagorno Karabakh, had a certain picture on the problem. He asked the NA Deputy Speaker to present his assessments on the NK conflict: i.e. if the situation was stable, or if there is still danger of recommencing war actions.

Mr Sharmazanov highlighted that the Irish journalist had personally been in Nagorno Karabakh and got acquainted with the situation. In his words, the people in Artsakh have been self-determined, and they build a democratic republic, and the NK independence has no alternative. In several months presidential elections will be held in Artsakh, and if the respected guest has opportunity to attend, he will see democratic elections, unlike Azerbaijan, where exists the principle of long ago refused in the civilized world – passing the power in succession.

Touching upon the problem of regional security connected with the NK, Mr Sharmazanov has said that Armenia and Karabakh do not want war. “In this issue our view is consonant with the opinion of the international community, in particular, Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. We are absolutely for the peaceful settlement of the problem, but Azerbaijan continues the arms race, and the President of that country goes on with his campaign of racism and hatred. In such case there is the danger of war. But they are convinced in Armenia and Artsakh that if the President of Azerbaijan turns to military actions, he will enjoy the same destiny, as the previous before him,” the NA Deputy Speaker and then added, “the oil of Azerbaijan will run out one day, but the faith of building of its own country is limitless.” Touching upon the problem of the legal settlement, Mr Sharmazanov noted that the principle of the people’s self-determination is internationally acknowledged, and the Nagorno Karabakh has been self-determined under the legislation of the UN and the former Soviet Union, as many republics.

In response to the Irish journalist’s question how the NA Deputy Speaker assesses the thought of the Azerbaijani leadership that the Armenians not participating in Eurovision already speaks about Armenia not being ready to compromises, Mr Sharmazanov noticed: “First, Armenia and Azerbaijan are not the conflict parties, but Karabakh and Azerbaijan. On the other hand, the Armenian side will not go to one-sided compromises: the problem should be solved as a result of reasonable compromises. We assert that there should not be any alternative for the independence of Artsakh, international guarantees of security should be given, and Artsakh should have common land border. Regarding the Eurovision and statement made by the Azerbaijani President, I think that Aliyev should know that sometimes he should keep silence and not speak, by contradicting himself. If the President of Azerbaijan deems the Armenian people as enemy, how can those people take part in an event in a country, where Armenians should be accepted with animosity.”

The NA Deputy Speaker said that recently the Armenian Parliamentary Delegation had taken part in Baku at the Euronest Meeting, where Aliyev had shown his real face. In his speech, where conditioned by the nature of event, there should not be a word about the RA or the NKR, he had called Armenians ‘fascists.” “What do you think, is that man ready for negotiations?” Eduard Sharmazanov asked.

Upon the journalist’s request the NA Deputy Speaker also has touched upon the press publications about the non-democratic manifestations in Armenia, recording that all the critical speeches, which help Armenia to become more democratic, are appraisable. He has noted that Armenia has made its choice, about which has spoken RA President Serzh Sargsyan in the RPA Congress, saying that there is no alternative for democratic values in Armenia. The NA Deputy Speaker introduced the guest the reforms made in the republic during the past five years, the progressive steps addressed to the freedom of press, the fulfillment of the obligations assumed by Armenia in European structures, the authorities’ resoluteness of holding the upcoming parliamentary elections at high level, creating equal conditions for the campaign of all the political forces and atmosphere of intolerance and plurality. “We do this not for pleasing Europe, but we realize that the best way of the development of our country are democracy and freedom, our people’s faith and confidence towards the future,” the NA Deputy Speaker noted.

In response to the Irish journalist's question on increasing the Russian military and economic influence in Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov has noticed that Armenia is an independent country and pursues multi-vector policy, highlighting the relations with the USA, RF, EU and the neighbours. In his word, Armenia is building foreign policy not by the principle “or – either,” but “and – and.” Russia is the military partner of Armenia, and the system of the security of our country is connected with the CSTO, but Armenia also implements serious programmes with the NATO, takes part in the peaceful actions being implemented in different countries in the security forces. According to Mr Sharmazanov, in connection with this issue RA President Serzh Sargsyan has fully answered in his interview given to the “Russia Today” TV Company. In response to the journalist’s question if Armenia pursues pro-Russian or pro-European policy, the RA President has answered: “Armenia only pursues pro-Armenian policy.”

Mr Sharmazanov also answered the questions relating to the regional security. He highlighted the peaceful settlement of Iran’s problem, noticing that any military actions in the region will launch numerous threats, including humanitarian.