Sos Gimishian: I have stopped believing in Europeans

Interview with Sos Gimishian, leader of Christian People Renaissance party

-Has the situation in Armenia changed since president Serzh Sargsyan’s announcement on September 3 committing that Armenia will join the Customs Union?

-Yes, the situation has changed and we have a new political situation in Armenia now. I understand this decision because personally I have always adhered to pro-European policy and believed that we would comply with European values such as democracy, free competition, fight against corruption and protection of human rights. However, so far we have failed to protect human rights, fight corruption and develop democracy, even though European officials come from time to time and say that our policy is ‘one step forward.” In a word, we have not imported the values we were hoping for. We are failing even more because instead of protecting real values they have adopted a law for Jehovah’s witnesses, which undermines our religion, and also they have a law on sexual minorities, which brings to degradation, too. We were also expecting from the West to help us open the border with Turkey.

Armenia compromised for the sake of that goal and initiated rapprochement, the world leaders were standing behind them when this memorandum was being signed. This expectation did not come true either. This is the reason why I think we cannot pursue integration with Europe anymore. Instead of supporting people’s initiatives during the past 15 years the West protected the violated elections of our leaders, failed to help the opposition, and even failed to protect human rights when people were being killed in Armenia. I am very angry at the policy of Europeans in our country.

-Who is guilty in failed democracy in Armenia?

-It is primarily our fault. It is us that are discussing the policy of joining the Customs Union or Europe. If the question is which of these two options is better, I would say that we are maintaining close ties with one of them for ten years and still do not have the expected achievements.

-Europe was offering a free trade agreement but the government refused.

-It was our government’s right to accept it or refuse. They had to show with their policy that they do not support the government which does not support development European values. Europe received what it deserved. Europe simply ruined the dreams we used to have.

-Do you think the unexpected announcement Serzh Sargsyan made in Europe is a normal thing?

-I think it is normal because the most important thing for me is being moral. Let our people dress worse and live a little worse but be moral. The law on sexual minorities that was brought and passed by Europe is worse for me than any dictatorship, corruption and human rights violation. This is the order of Europeans, and the Armenian people opposed to it.

-Mr. Gimishian, this issue is more about economic and trade interests.

-I am neither pro-Russian nor pro-European; I respect the interests of my country. I used to be more pro-European but have received what I have now. Our experience shows that there is no power that would help us develop the values we were expecting to have.

-Our ally that is inviting us to join the Customs Union does not discuss such values at all.

-Certainly Russia has a lot of failures and bad image.

-What is the good side of it?

-The good side is that we should not follow a country that is advocating the gay’s rights.

-This issue is more about economic relations.

-It is 14 years that Armenia is a member of the European system. When did you see them supporting free market economy, competition and human rights protection? Our country is a small one and we should cooperate with a large country. I think first of all we should be partners with Eastern countries such as Japan and China, where people are conservative about moral and national values. Unfortunately we do not have that opportunity, thus we should choose between what we have. Even though there are many problems in Armenia such as human rights, the fact that they are moral should be a better condition for our decision. First, Turkey considers us their enemy and refused to open the border. Second, there are two million Armenians in Russia. Third, the Customs Union may help us fight against the oligarchic system.

-Do you really think so?

-If we sign those documents with the Customs Union, every citizen of Armenia who has a company in Russia will be able to buy sugar in Europe and import to Armenia through Russia. Armenians will be able to import Russian cars without customs fees.

-Do you think the issue of joining the Customs Union should be put for referendum?

-Yes. As a person who believes in democracy, I believe this should be an honest decision.

-Do you think it is moral that Moscow may instruct what laws to adopt in the future?

-Do you think it was done otherwise before?

-If so, why do you blame Europe?

-What is the difference if laws are developed for adoption by Russia or Europe? Russia’s laws are against immoral things, thus for me it is better if Russia brings those laws.

Interviewed by Aram Sargsyan