Question 1 (R.A. Bakhtadze, Georgia) Hello Mr. Demirchyan. My name is Revaz Bakhtadze. I represent the daily “24 Hours” Here is my first question. During our meeting in February-March you declared that if elections were falsified you would undertake corresponding measures. As far as we know, corresponding charges have been filed with the courts. Have you got the results you expected?

Answer: We applied to the Constitutional Court, which left the decision of the Central Election Committee as it was. So we cannot speak of desirable results. Nevertheless, the Constitutional Court acknowledged all our arguments and in fact, confirmed that the elections were falsified (there were cases of using force, threats, about 300 opposition activists were detained, etc.) The Constitutional Court also made a recommendation to hold a referendum within a year for a vote of confidence in the acting non-elected President. In terms of applying to the European Court, that question might be answered only after corresponding consultations with the necessary specialists.

Question 2 (R. A Bakhtadze, Georgia) As a demonstration of protest your bloc refused to participate in the first session of the Parliament and in ratifying the government. Do you intend to boycott the Parliament in the future as well?

Answer: The Parliamentary elections were falsified just like the Presidential elections. The Justice Bloc won in the Parliamentary elections and the results declared by the Central Election Committee have nothing in common with the real choice made by the Armenian people. At the expense of the Justice Bloc some of the pro-presidential votes were multiplied. But we do not consider that boycotting is the best solution in the present situation. And starting from September the Justice Bloc will be actively involved in the Parliament, and will introduce a number of legislative initiatives. Regarding our absence at the first session, we simply refused to participate in the farce of elections to leading posts in the National Assembly. Everything was predetermined and it was simply absurd to take part in those “elections”.

Question 3 (S.V. Martirosyan, Armenia) Samvel Martirosyan - Information Agency “Rostbalt.” Mr. Demirchyan, with the present layout of political forces in the National Assembly, what are the real chances for the Justice Bloc? Are you going to join other political forces in the Parliament?

Answer: The Justice Bloc is ready to collaborate with the political forces represented in the Parliament on specific issues. The Bloc wing is, to me, the most qualified and authoritative in composition, and despite the fact that Justice represents a minority in the Parliament, this does not mean that it has little leverage. Justice will strive to reinstate constitutional order in the country and its activities will not be restricted to the Parliament only.

Question 4 (R. A Bakhtadze, Georgia) What kind of legislative drafts do you intend to introduce in Parliament?

Answer: Our activities will be geared towards the adaptation of the Armenian legislation to European standards, perfection of the election codex, amendments to the law on referendum, the adoption of society-oriented draft laws, and many other things. But first and foremost we have to overcome the crisis of mistrust and establish a lawful government in our country.

Question 5 (S.V. Martirosyan, Armenia) Mr. Demirchyan, what erroneous trends in the foreign policy of the existing government can you indicate and what is your attitude on those issues?

Question 6 (R. A Bakhtadze, Georgia) In the context of Mr. Martirosyan’s question, could you answer the following question? Any politician in Armenia must have his vision of the Karabakh issue. What kind of steps do you think must be undertaken to get out of the existing dead end? How do you see the future status of Karabakh?

Answer: I will answer your last two questions in one, since they are interrelated. We think that the resolution of Karabakh problem is unrealistic without NKR’s participation. The Karabakh side should also be participating in the negotiations. And the fact that Karabakh has been isolated from the negotiation process for the last several years, we consider a mistake. This is our principal approach. As to our foreign policy program, it has to be based on Armenia’s interests and should contribute to the democratization of our society. Strategic union with Russia is considered to be one of the main priorities in our foreign policy. We also consider integration in European structures, regional integration, and the establishment of normal relations with our neighbors important.

Question 7 (R. A Bakhtadze, Georgia) Do you think the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey is possible without regulating the Karabakh conflict?

Answer: I have already said that we are for establishing normal diplomatic relations with our neighbors, and that includes Turkey as well. We think it is possible, if Turkey does not come up with any pre-conditions. At the same time we cannot deny our past, and historic justice must prevail.

Question 8 (S.V. Martirosyan, Armenia) What steps do you think should be taken to foster the strategic union with Russia in the face of the growing American influence in the South Caucasus?

Answer: We have already said that strategic union with Russia is one of the prerogatives of our foreign policy. But that does not necessarily mean that the formula “Assets against debts” must be forced on us. I think it reasonable to start joint ventures, create favorable conditions for investments, etc. Using this opportunity I want to state that we place importance on our relations with the United States. The discernible thaw in American -Russian relations will, I think, provide a favorable atmosphere for Armenia’s development and the development of the region as a whole. I have practically answered your last two questions.

Question 9 (R. A Bakhtadze, Georgia) What do you imply with “restoration of historical justice” in relation with Turkey? Is it only acknowledgement of the Genocide or the issue of territories, as well?

Answer: First of all we are talking about the acknowledgement of the Genocide against Armenians by Turkey. And I hope that sooner or later this will happen. Thank you all for the questions.