INTERVIEW WHAT SPECIFIC MODELS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED? WHAT OBSTACLES WERE AND ARE YOU FACING IN THE PROCESS? KA: The creation of an independent state body – the Civil Service Council – was not only the response to a public need but also motivated by an EU suggestion. Today we can assert that the structure entails professional public administrators, based on principles of political neutrality, professionalism, stability and objective service to the public interests, as defined by the law. The civil service in recent years has become very attractive for employees given the fact that the government suggests various social packages including health insurance, free travelling in the Armenian resorts etc. Starting positions do not require work experience so one can get a job just after graduation. This system to some extent solved the problem of youth unemployment so there are many young people working in public sector. The EU’s Sigma programme cooperates with the Civil Service Council successfully. We also fully implemented an E-government system and the whole document c circulation is now electronic. Yerevan is currently ranked the 5th in the list of cities having the best e-government worldwide. The Council of Civil Service initiated a very important process – it requested SIGMA to monitor the system. After the monitoring some recommendations were made which aimed to bring the Service in line with European standards. The government of RA and the Council are committed to implementing them. MR ASHOTYAN, ARMENIA HOSTED THE EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA (EHEA) MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE THIS YEAR. ON THAT OCCASION, YOU STATED THAT THERE WERE STILL “UNRECOGNISED TERRITORIES WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT EXERCISING THE ADVANTAGES OF THE EUROPEAN EDUCATION”. WHAT ARE THESE AREAS AND WHAT PRECISE STEPS CAN BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE FUTURE TO REMEDY THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS? AA: The Yerevan summit proved that Armenia is an integral part of the European civilization area. The Bologna process belongs to all the countries that share European values and try to introduce and reproduce the values in higher educational institutions. The “Yerevan communique” established that the EHEA should be maximally inclusive for people with various educational needs, and in various political and geographical situations. The basic idea was enshrining the principle of non-discrimination in education. This means that Europe’s education ministers have agreed that the Bologna Mobility programs should give involvement opportunity to students and lecturers from conflicting regions, as education is one of the fundamental human rights. Once again I would like to stress the idea that education should be without any discrimination and should provide solutions to the conflicts as a unique tool for the reconciliation and people to people relations. 2015 WAS NO YEAR LIKE ANY OTHER FOR THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE – IT MARKED THE
CENTENNIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR. IN HIS SPEECH AT ITS CONGRESS IN MADRID LAST OCTOBER, PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN THANKED THE EPP FOR ITS UNEQUIVOCAL STANCE ON THE RECOGNITION AND CONDEMNATION OF THE GENOCIDE. HOW IMPORTANT HAS COOPERATION WITH THE EU PROVEN IN PROMOTING AWARENESS OF THE EVENTS OF APRIL 1915 ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE? KA: One hundred years ago, on 24 April 1915, one of the gravest crimes of the 20th century began with mass arrests of Armenian intellectuals in Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and other cities of the empire. What subsequently happened in 1915 and the years that followed was unprecedented in terms of volume and ramifications. The Western part of the Armenian people, who for hundred years had lived in their homeland, in the cradle of our civilization, were displaced and annihilated with the Empire’s direct participation of the army, police and other state institutions. Around 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered merely for being Armenian and Christian. Today the world-order, the nature of international relations is quite different from the severe situation hundred years ago. However, there are many states that due to some circumstances don’t want to call things by their name. For this prominent year in our history we chose a slogan “Remember, Condemn, Prevent”. The most effective tool in preventing such crimes is the recognition of such crimes committed so violently. The genocide is not merely an Armenian but a universal problem which requires universal solutions. We highly appreciate the commitment of our EPP friends to the human values and recognition of the Genocide. It is evident that the document also contributed to the resolution by the European Parliament in April. Thus these two resolutions are considered very important achievements in the process of the recognition of Armenian Genocide. We are also thankful to the EPP president Mr Joseph Daul for his presence during the most important day for all of us. MOST OF THIS INTERVIEW HAS FOCUSED ON THE PRESENT STATE OF ARMENIA AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY. TO CONCLUDE, LET US SPEAK OF ITS FUTURE: WHAT DIRECTION IS YOUR COUNTRY HEADED FOR IN THE NEXT DECADES? WHAT WOULD, IN YOUR VIEW, AN IDEAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ARMENIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION LOOK LIKE IN 2030? KA: We would like to acquire a deeply rooted and consolidated democracy in Armenia, reforms suggested by EU fully completed, as well as a deeper cooperation in all the spheres: educational, social, political, economic, cultural, etc. The youth involvement in different programs, workshops, trainings, meetings and organisations such as EDS is very significant to me as today’s students and young people are the future decision-makers. One
Karen Avagyan MP
(RPA Youth Chair) may notice that the European Union is not very united when it comes to foreign affairs and it is apprehensible as the member-states have different interests at stake. However we would like to see a more coherent approach in international cooperation, one based on values rather than economic interests. Currently, the Armenian political leadership has an intention to make this country a real European-model state, in which human rights and fundamental freedoms protection will be considered as basis of public affairs. AA: Looking back in history and with just one glance at the map, it becomes very clear that Armenia and Armenians has already shown its expertise in overcoming a whole range of complicated, often dramatic, situations with its powerful neighbours, while managing to preserve its traditional European cornerstones. Talking about the future of Armenia-EU relations I am sure that these relations will unite Visions, Values and Citizens which are common for both sides.
Anna Ohanyan in cooperation with Henrique Laitenberger
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