Hayastan alliance names Robert Kocharyan as PM candidate

The Hayastan alliance on Monday named former President Robert Kocharyan as its candidate for prime minister in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Addressing supporters, Kocharyan stressed the need for a combat-ready military, strong leadership and reliable allies to counter potential threats.

He said the country’s foreign policy should be “predictable and understandable” and should avoid attempts to maneuver between competing global powers.

“Security will remain one of Armenia’s main challenges in the years ahead,” Kocharyan said. “Armenia needs a combat-ready army, a strong leader and powerful allies to neutralize all threats.”

Kocharyan, who served as president from 1998 to 2008, said his past approach had helped secure “some of the most peaceful years” for the country and pledged to establish a “fully reliable” security model if elected.

He stated that the alliance supports peace with Azerbaijan, but said any agreement must be based on firm security guarantees.

“We are in favour of peace, but that peace must rest on real security guarantees,” he said. “This is especially important at a time when the rule of law in the world is being replaced by the rule of force.”