We Are Consistent …

… in Our Struggle for the Present and Future Wellbeing of Our People

During his address on the occasion of the 125^th anniversary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), Bureau Chairman Hrant Markarian stressed: “Through our work, we have tried—in every way possible—to bring our contribution to molding a political arena, because we have been convinced that only through a vigorous political environment where political forces can compete, can we reach a solution to the country’s socioeconomic problems, and ensure the wellbeing of our people.”

Following the signing of a political cooperation agreement between the ARF and the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), and the ratification of the constitutional changes, President Serge Sarkisian announced: “It is the duty of each and every one of us to—on a daily basis—do everything in our power so that Armenia becomes a state and a society with a transparent and fully trustworthy government, whose goal is the present and future wellbeing of its citizens and compatriots abroad; a government where the authorities are equally accountable before the law, just like any other citizen, and are not guided by [the pursuit of] personal gains.”

The ideological cornerstone of the ARF has always been to secure the welfare of the Armenian people. And that purpose has been the sole basis upon which the ARF has acted and engaged with others, whether in cooperation or resistance, collaboration or opposition. Our people have both praised as well as criticized us for being a political force that stays true to its ideological values.

The ARF joined the ruling coalition because it expects through that cooperation to realize the hopes that our nation has for Armenia.

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We will press for these promises at every opportunity. Such was the case when President Sarkisian recently visited Boston, and Boston Armenians openly discussed their expectations for the wellbeing of Armenia in their meetings with the president. After all, it was this president who, in his aforementioned address, spoke of an Armenia that we have always envisioned: an Armenia that together with the diaspora constitutes “one entity, a nation. Where the rights of the diaspora are recognized and encouraged, and its potential is fully integrated [in Armenia].”

Azerbaijan’s recent wanton aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh) showed how we can overcome such threats when acting together, as one nation. In a time of crisis, the different political forces all cooperated, placing the security and wellbeing of the Armenian people above all else.

Ultimately, the main issue will remain the transformation of these coalition agreements from noble ideas into a new reality in people’s lives. This is the only way in which the pan-Armenian unity displayed during the calls for Artsakh’s defense will survive and spread, and become the basis of a prosperous and powerful Armenia.