YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) of Armenia recently held its 21st Supreme Assembly in Aghveran, Armenia. After hearing the biennial report from the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia and assessing the activates of the ARF in Armenia, the Assembly elected a new ARF Supreme Council.
Arsen Hambardzumyan, Hrach Tadevosyan, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, Arthur Yeghiazaryan, Simon Simonyan, Spartak Kharabakhtsyan, Vahagn Matinyan, Arthur Ghazaryan, and Karen Mnatsakanyan were elected as the new ARF Supreme Council. Hambardzumyan will serve as the newly-elected body’s chairperson.
Representatives and guests of the Supreme Assembly discussed the importance of the adoption of the country’s new constitution and the constitutional reforms enacted in the past two years in Armenia as an important factor for the stable development of the country. It also assessed the internal and external challenges to the socio economic development of Armenia, and declared a priority to foster strategies to ensure the security of the republics of Armenia and Artsakh.
The assembly also highlighted the need for political and economic reforms to advance Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), as well as to conform to the provisions of the comprehensive agreement recently signed with the European Union.
The ARF Supreme Assembly outlined the following priorities for the next two years in a statement it issued at the conclusion of the meeting:
- To create a structure that guarantees human rights and freedoms by espousing the principle of respect for rule of law;
- To build structures for the stable development of a social market economy to advance the creation of new jobs and workplaces becoming the leader in the preservation of social justice in the government;
- To realize substantive reforms in all aspects of life: the transparent and accountable operation of government structures, advancing of anti-corruption policies;
- To advance confidence in the government and future within society;
- The complete implementation of the “Nation-Army” concept with assistance to the advancement of the country’s military-industrial complex;
- To take targeted and effective steps for advancing active democratic policies and to stop emigration.
“On the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia, the ARF of Armenia reaffirms its will and determination to consistently and unfailingly contribute to the further development of our statehood and to ensure the conditions for a safe and dignified life for our people,” concluded the statement.
During the past several years when ARF was in the coalition government with the the Republican Party of Armenia every economic and social indicator has gotten much worse than before. 1- Does ARF accept the fact that it is also responsible for the current situation? 2- Will the new council still continue to be in coalition with the unethical, corrupt and genocidal (because of mass immigration) regime?
Was there any critical self-analysis of the party’s recent past positions and policies, especially given the ARF’s position as a “junior partner” of Serzh Sargsyan’s ruling Republican Party of Armenia? The above “press release” says nothing of interest. All doublespeak.