ARMENIA WILL NOT HAVE PROBLEM OF EMIGRATION IF IT BECOMES COUNTRY OF LAW, RESIDENTS OF YEREVAN THINK
NOYAN TAPAN
JUNE 19
The subject of Noyan Tapan’s June 19 blitz survey was Problems of
Emigration in Armenia. The survey was conducted in Yerevan. Below
are the respondents’ answers completely and without editing:
IN YOUR ESTIMATION, DOES EMIGRATION FROM ARMENIA CONTINUE, HAS IT
STOPPED, OR ARMENIANS GRADUALLY START RETURNING TO ARMENIA?
– Though slowly, nevertheless emigration still continues.
– It continues and will continue.
– In my opinion, it still continues: personally I have emigrated from
this country for already 10 years and I am in Armenia for a short time.
– Unless bribery and other illegal things are prevented in this
country, I think emigration from our country will grow for even more.
– Until Armenia becomes a country convenient for living, no return
of our compatriots to this country can be spoken about, and under
such conditions, clever people, certainly, leave if they have such
a possibility, and do a right thing.
CURRENTLY WHAT IS THE REASON OF LEAVING THE HOMELAND?
– I think the main reason is social conditions.
– The main reason is lack of jobs.
– People have started to realize that in other countries human rights
are protected, money for daily bread is earned comparatively easily,
etc., therefore, they leave this country.
– I think leaving the country people don’t have much pleasure, they
just go to where it is more favorable for living and surviving.
– They leave Armenia, as this country is not a place to live: whatever
you initiate, they fail it, human rights are violated at every step,
and there is no hope that it will be well in the near future.
WHY DO OUR COMPATRIOTS RATHER PREFER LIVING ABROAD MISSING ARMENIA
AND FEELING ALIEN THAN RETURNING TO ARMENIA?
– I think any Armenian living abroad will return with pleasure if
the social conditions are even if satisfactory here.
– I think in difference to Armenia, law operates abroad, and living
in a law-abiding country, naturally, is easier: therefore, they do
not return.
– For a very simple reason: in our country we do not have the
conditions foreign countries have.
– Maybe it is a genetic tradition: neighbor’s bread has always been
tasty for us, therefore Armenians have always emigrated and never
wished to return.
– As they see that they can create a future for their children abroad,
why should they come to Armenia then?
WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN FOR ARMENIANS TO RETURN TO ARMENIA?
– They will return when there are jobs and high salary in Armenia.
– They will return in case they are convinced that their children
will have a future in this country.
– Laws need to operate in Armenia, and people should feel completely
protected in this country.
– Bribery need to be liquidated in Armenia.
– They will return when taxes are not high and people are able to
quietly do business or other activity here.
AND WHEN IS IT POSSIBLE?
– We are just a 17-year-old independent country and I think that it
will take us nearly two 17 years to record some positive steps.
– I am an optimist, I think Armenia will have these positive features
in the near future.
– When we have a normal power and country.
– I do not have a hope that our country will have disinterested
leaders.
AND WON’T ALL ARMENIANS LIVE THE COUNTRY BEFORE THAT?
– Whatever happens, in my opinion, our country will not be faced by
that danger.
– I am convinced that there will always be people, who will not
leave their country whatever happens, and all Armenians will not
leave Armenia.
– If of course the emigration rates continue like this and it is not
prevented, in a few years some of us will have to close Armenia’s
doors.
– I do not think that today we are faced by a danger that all Armenians
can leave the country.
– Irrespective of anything, for instance, I will not leave my country,
I think many people think like me in Armenia, therefore, I do not
think there is such a danger in Armenia.