Radar Armenia summarized the past year, 2022, with political scientist Davit Stepanyan.
- Summarizing the year 2022, how would you characterize it politically?
- Politically, the year was quite difficult. I must mention that in domestic politics, Nikol Pashinyan managed to achieve that the opposition is wholly crushed today. And the opposition could not implement its agenda- the change of power. And today, there are no grounds that a change of control can occur with the opposition's efforts. Unfortunately, Nikol Pashinyan's regime did not have the same success in foreign policy. We had heavy clashes on the border, and more than 200 casualties, which was the worst consequence of that policy. It can be noted that, by and large, we have not had any success or achievements in foreign policy in 2022.
- What developments can we expect in our region in 2023? According to you, is it possible to reach the signing of the peace treaty?
- In today's turbulent world and very harsh geopolitical realities, it is impossible to forecast for one year. I can mention that we can reach the signing of the peace agreement, but the question is at what cost? At the price Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia are offering us today, such an agreement is not acceptable for Armenia. And it will be just a temporary truce; there will be no war for a while; it will happen later. Getting a peace agreement with Azerbaijan at the price of Artsakh, enclaves, and the "Zangezur Corridor" is also unacceptable. If the peace agreement is to be signed under those conditions, it will not be signed. A serious geopolitical movement should take place so that Azerbaijan abandons such severe demands, particularly regarding the corridor, border demarcation, and delimitation, so the peace agreement becomes a reality.
- What should be the political priorities of 2023?
- The number one priority of 2023 should be state building. Serious reforms should be made in the state system. It is necessary to make a transition from the Soviet army, from the old rudimentary system to a new system so that the military can respond to the problems and challenges that the 21st century presents us. With this situation, we cannot continue the war with Azerbaijan, especially when Azerbaijan is slowly taking severe steps with Turkey. So it is essential for us. And in foreign policy, we need to change the vector again. It isn't sensible to continue linking Armenia's development with Russia, CSTO, and EAEU. This cannot give anything to Armenia. Therefore, it is necessary to diversify the policy, which should become the number one target: towards the West, India, China, the Arab world, and in all directions. No one says you should only go in the order of the West. But continuing to be in the middle of Russian politics leads us to a dead end, and 2022 was clear proof of that.
Hayk Magoyan
