The speech of Tigran Avinyan, member of the board of the "Civil Contract" party, and deputy mayor of Yerevan, at the sixth congress of the "Civil Contract" party.

"Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Dear President of the Civil Contract Party,

Dear members of the Civil Contract Party,

I welcome all of you to the 6th regular congress of the party. It is taking place at a rather difficult time for our state when facing external challenges. However, this crisis should not frighten us; it should not depress us. Solutions to seemingly complex problems are not at all beyond our capabilities. And now, we only need one thing: to unite and not hesitate to take responsibility for our and our country's future.

Four years ago, we implemented the most significant changes in the internal political life of the state. Today, free, fair, and democratic elections are being held in Armenia, which has become unimaginable in the last two decades. The Civil Charter played a significant role in that process, and any party would be proud of such an achievement.

Democracy is the political belief of our party, our pillar. And these are not just beautiful words. The Civil Contract Party has steadily promoted an ideology based on democratic values ​​since its foundation, and today we will all participate in the democratic party elections.

However, our problem is not limited to the establishment of intra-party systems. We must make democracy in Armenia irreversible with firm steps, and no case should we allow a return to the previous vicious order and manners.

Since the day of its foundation, there have been no forbidden topics in the party, and everyone had the opportunity to express their opinion and fight for it. There is not and should not be a forced unanimity. There is no and should not be a restriction on free thinking. Along with that, we should be able to reconcile the divergent opinions within the party, to jointly find solutions for the benefit of our country and people.

The "Civil Contract" party went through complex transformations in the years from the beginning to the coming to power. Thousands of our citizens' applications to become party members were a serious challenge, given that only some people share the party's ideology and values.

The times of solving personal problems or being privileged with a party ticket have gone forever. And again, in this regard, we have a responsibility not only to prevent such phenomena within the party but also to make this change irreversible at the level of our country.

Many of our colleagues in the Chamber today occupy important positions for the country, and I am sure that we all realize that position and status are only a means. A way to learn goals and ideas, a way to serve your country and people.

In this regard, it is essential to emphasize a few things.

Many of us know from personal experience how long office work takes, endless consultations, and non-stop paperwork. Bureaucracy is, of course, significant. However, we must be careful so that this precious time is used correctly. Our word will remain in the time given to us; let it be full of content; our work will stay in the time allotted to us; let's make it worthy of praise and not soon forgotten. Never cut off from real life. Let us be in direct and direct contact with our compatriots; only this will allow us to perceive the existing problems correctly and find their precise solutions.

Let's give our compatriots a chance to be inspired and believe again. It doesn't matter how many new development programs or reforms we propose if people don't believe in any solution.

In our daily actions, let's remember that the decisions concern the entire nation, collectively and individually. Asphalt roads make the life of drivers and pedestrians easier, quality public transport - the lives of people rushing to work and returning home, good hospitals and polyclinics - the lives of doctors and patients, renovated schools - the lives of teachers and students, well-maintained yards and playgrounds - the lives of children and citizens enjoying evening rest—life and so on. There is a widespread opinion that no government can solve all problems. We have to prove the opposite, can and must.

Using the occasion of the congress, we reaffirm our party's loyalty to the abovementioned principles. We should be cautious and decisive in the current period of significant uncertainties and leave only our convictions. 

Our soldiers' heroism at the border should be binding for us. For us now, there is no alternative but resistance, living and creating for the sake of strengthening our state, having a professional army, and a developed economy.

The party must become a leader and an example for others; we must contribute to the establishment of the political system in Armenia, and the parties are not an excess or a career ladder for the citizen but a healthy environment of political faith, ideological harmony, and consensus. In this matter, we should choose healthy political forces as allies to bring down the party system of Armenia and push blasphemy, looting, and selling of property in the name of politics to the margin.

In our steps, we should only look forward to a prosperous and safe future.

"Civil Contract" is not only a party of the present but should not be. "Civil contract" is also the future.

Thank you".