I Am Much More Optimistic About the Future of Armenia Than I Was in 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021: Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting at the Matenadaran with the newly formed members of the Public Council, headed by its chairman Ara Khzmalyan. In his speech, the Prime Minister first congratulated the council members on their appointment and noted that the constitutional stipulation defining the Public Council as an advisory body to the Government should eventually be fully realized.

Pashinyan emphasized that the Government has a pressing need for such a platform and format for consultation, a necessity that it has always had. He expressed hope that the newly formed Public Council would take on that role.

"My understanding is that the Public Council should primarily be a place for reflection, where discussions about the country's development strategies, as well as tactical and specific issues, will take place. I believe this is a good opportunity for the Government to make our future activities more efficient," stated the Prime Minister.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, the stipulation that patriotism without professionalism can even be dangerous accurately describes the situation and the path we have traveled, as our fundamental issue since the first days of the Republic's formation has been patriotism without professionalism. The country's leader noted that this does not mean that there have been no professionals in Armenia or that there are none now.

"It's about something else. Being a professional as an artist, being a professional as a scientist, being a professional in healthcare, being a professional in industry—this is very important. But being a professional in relation to the state and in the formation of the state is a much more serious challenge, especially in a situation and society where the traditions of statehood are fragmented and deeply rooted institutions and traditions are lacking. Despite the prevailing pessimism in Armenia today, as seen in public platforms, I must emphasize that the prevailing sentiment for me is optimism, and this is not just an emotional expression. It is commonly said that a pessimist is a well-informed optimist; but who is the one who, after being well-informed under optimistic conditions, finds himself back in the realm of pessimism and then returns to optimism? Perhaps it is the one who has a more complete grasp or understanding of the situation with all its nuances in that period and over a longer historical arc," said the Prime Minister.

The country's leader underscored that he is much more optimistic about the future of the Republic of Armenia today than he was in 2018 or 2019, let alone in 2020 or 2021. What has changed in the meantime? From the Prime Minister's perception and perspective, the following has changed: the Government has a project that is very concrete. "And I would like us not to underestimate the existence of this project, especially with the logic that it’s a project focused on us, not on what others should or should not do. In my assessment, the best or key change that has occurred in the Government's and state system's worldview is precisely this. I tried to talk about this in my last two speeches in the National Assembly, and now, especially in the Public Council, I wish to emphasize this. Optimism stems from the fact that there is a project on the table, and the implementation of this project is 90% or more dependent on us, absolutely on us, and the decisions we will make as a society, as a state, as a people. I believe this is the most significant news from my point of view that I wish to share with you," noted Nikol Pashinyan, while adding that optimism doesn’t equate to a guarantee.

According to the Prime Minister, one of the most important characteristics of this project is that it is not guaranteed; the project entails work, discussions in various formats, decisions, including very active work with the public. The country's leader expressed hope that the Public Council would become that platform for discussions.

Pashinyan wished the attendees success in the work of the Public Council and assured that the Government would have active and high-level participation, of course understanding that the newly formed Public Council would be just such a platform where there would be clashes of ideas, discussions, debates, and not arguments.

Next, issues related to the further activities of the Public Council were discussed. Prime Minister Pashinyan answered the questions of the council members.