Interviews and press conferences

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Interview of Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan at the "Radio Liberty".

23 / 07 / 2019

Today, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan was hosted at “Azatutyun” radio station.
Below are the excerpts from the interview.

“Azatutyun”- Mr. Grigoryan, by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s decree, a special interdepartmental committee has been set up recently headed by you, which, in fact, should elaborate the national security strategy of Armenia within the next year. Why was it decided to change the current strategy?

Grigoryan- There are many reasons. I will try to mention some of them. One of the most important reasons is that there have been fundamental changes in the international arena or in the international relations. When the national security strategy was written in 2007, there was no such crisis in the Russian-Western relations that now exists. Then, the Russian-Georgian war, which had a major impact on the region, the sanctions on Iran also the April war had not yet happened. These all have changed completely. Along with that, there was also a fundamental change within Armenia: the velvet, non-violent revolution that brought about a change in the logic and philosophy of the governing system. We should also take into consideration time as the former national security strategy was written in 2007; twelve years have passed and, in practice, such documents are updated on an election cycle. There is a need to keep up to date with time.

“Azatutyun”- The delegation headed by you was in Artsakh a few days ago. There, you had meetings with the President of Nagorno Karabakh, newly appointed Secretary of the Security Council Arshavir Gharamyan in the Ministry of Defense, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please, speak a little about some results.

Grigoryan- The visit was, of course, very productive. The main target topic is the investment in the strategic infrastructure, so that we can both increase security and create economic opportunities in Artsakh for development, because both economic development and security are highly interconnected in Artsakh, so is in Armenia and we need to make the investments in the strategic infrastructure effective for both the economy and security. At present, taking into account our plans for 2020 and the initial discussions we are going to build 150 kilometers highways. There is already a decision.

“Azatutyun”- Are there any directions? Will there be one highway or another?

Grigoryan- The highway to the south, the highway from Kapan to Hadrut is being discussed and I hope that by the end of the year we will sum up all these discussions and have a roadmap on how to build that highway. By the way, with regard to Artsakh, let me say that there is already a political decision and a decision that we will have in all bases, in Artsakh…

“Azatutyun”- Sorry, that is, Vardenis-Martakert, Goris-Stepanakert and Kapan, that highway to the south; this will be the third link highway between Armenia and Artsakh.

Grigoryan- Of course, and we plan to build it in a very short time, in 2020.

“Azatutyun”- Are there any funds available?

Grigoryan- Of course, if there is a political purpose. I can say that at present the Republic of Armenia, in large part, does not have a resource problem, but has the problem connected with the potential to implement projects within those resources. And I am sure that in the next year we will be able to accomplish that, and a very important thing; when we say strategic infrastructures; for example, we plan to have water supply in all bases by October 2020, there is a political decision already, there is a technical problem to make financial allocations, and all the bases will have water supply. And we are also discussing other infrastructures.

“Azatutyun”- Can you mention a few? Or is it a secret?

Grigoryan- It is still at an early stage. When it will be more specific we will talk.

“Azatutyun”- I remember that the head of the Armenian National Security Service was in the southern regions of Artsakh, where he was present at the construction of a new residence, at the opening ceremony. In this regard, is Armenia planning to build new residences in the coastal areas of Araks or in Karvachar district?

Grigoryan- At the moment we are thinking more about infrastructures, the discussions are in that direction, for the rest if we have something, we will talk about it more publicly. But at this moment we consider the creation of infrastructures a priority which will both ensure security and promote economic development.

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