STATEMENT

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
23 April 07

In preparing for the presidential election on July 19, 2007
the NKR parliament forces – the Democratic Party of Artsakh, the
Azat Hayrenik Party, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun and Movement 88 – held
consultations. The parties agreed that since the proclamation of NKR
serious steps have been made towards laying the foundation of the
independent state, creating a legitimate and effective government
through presidential, parliamentary and local elections in different
years, an effective army to defend the sovereignty of the country and
security of people, which helped prevent the danger against the regular
development of the country and adopt a line of democratic reforms,
creation of a civil society and dominance of human rights, provide
definite economic progress, implement a number of social programs,
enact legislation for fostering liberal market economy, increasing
investments. The experience of the independent state and the tendencies
of its development were set down in the NKR Constitution adopted by a
popular voting. Nevertheless, there are a number of unsolved problems
in the country. The parties have discussed the situation and agreed on
proceeding from the following priorities in drawing up the agenda for
the upcoming years: – International recognition of the independence
of NKR; – Legislative reforms necessitated by the Constitution; –
Further democratization of the system of public administration,
promotion of the mechanisms of division and counterbalance of
the branches of power, establishment of institutions of public
control over the government; – Drafting of an entitlement social
policy and a national strategy of poverty reduction; – Drafting
and introducing a new concept of finance and loan policy to foster
economic development; – Improvement of the demographic state through
resettlement and support to villages. Proceeding from this agenda,
the parties think they can support a common presidential candidate,
including a candidate nominated on a civil initiative, on the basis
of agreement on the principles of his election program and the
abovementioned priorities. The statement is open to all the other
political forces to join.