If Our Actions Do Not Satisfy Voters, They May Initiate a Vote of No Confidence. H. Aghazaryan on Amulsar

In the 'My Step' faction, there is a prevailing view that, at this moment, there is no possibility of halting the exploitation process of the Amulsar mine, as there are no legal grounds for such a move. Deputy Hovik Aghazaryan stated this in an interview with Tert.am.

“Of course, there are people who believe that it should be suspended,” he said.

Regarding the question of what consequences their opposition may have, he replied that they might resign from their mandates. “If it has to be that the mine is exploited, then these people will be the leading figures who will work under meticulous monitoring conditions, and they will voice any minor deviations,” he said.

He added that as a result of the clash of opinions, the state would benefit. “Our friends who have been civil activists, members of NGOs, who have fought for nature, they should take into account that today there is a new reality, and under the current non-corrupt government, that oversight can be carried out more rationally, and they should be a little more reconciled and convinced that their positions will be good,” he said.

In response to the observation about the dissatisfaction of citizens who voted for the 'My Step' faction and today demand that the mine not be exploited, the deputy noted that there was no point in their electoral program stating that they would come and stop the mine's exploitation. On the contrary, it was stated that a high-level expert examination would be allowed after it is conducted, and such an examination has been carried out.

“We take into account the voices of the citizens; if our actions do not satisfy our voters, the political opponents, then they can initiate a vote of no confidence against the government, and the government will leave. We have already sown that culture. Or they can take to the streets with tens of thousands of people, and we will quietly leave, meaning we will organize new elections if the people do not trust us on this issue,” he said.

Regarding the possibility of conducting a referendum specifically on the Amulsar issue, Hovik Aghazaryan noted that he does not agree with it, as even they sometimes get confused, so how could the general public study this issue enough to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’?

“I have information that 'Lydian Armenia' does not want to exploit the mine. I apologize to the activists who are doing this according to their heart's urge and their beliefs, but many people are directed by 'Lydian Armenia' and Arsenyan to prevent the exploitation of the mine, as Lydian has serious financial problems. They have made enormous embezzlements and are now trying to leave all that to us and get money through arbitration and come out dry from the water. We are not going that way; the conditions and criteria have become stricter, as any deviation will lead to the suspension of operations,” he added, noting that 'Lydian' has attempted to secure a $30 million loan.