Vardan Ghukasian Issues Statement

The "Democracy, Law, Discipline" party has announced that its honorary president, Vardan Ghukasian, will periodically present the fundamental principles and strategic directions of the political force's electoral program.

Despite Vardan Ghukasian's registration being rejected by the Central Electoral Commission due to issues with residency and citizenship documents in Armenia over recent years, the political force continues to participate in elections and considers him as the candidate for Prime Minister.

The party's statement emphasizes that the electoral program contains not empty promises, but concrete steps towards nation-building, justice, national dignity, and the construction of a strong Armenia.

In a message published on the social media platform Facebook, Vardan Ghukasian declared that Armenia's strategic ally should be the state that respects Armenia's sovereignty. "The strategic ally of Armenia will be the state that respects Armenia's sovereignty, and does not view Armenia as a colony, a project, or a sphere of influence," Ghukasian stated.

He noted that Armenia has no eternal friends or eternal enemies, but rather, it has enduring national interests.

Ghukasian also discussed relations with various countries, stating that "partnership with Russia is possible if Armenia's security and dignity are respected, and cooperation with the West is viable if they do not attempt to dismantle the Armenian identity and turn the state into a point of external governance."

He emphasized the importance of relations with Iran based on mutual respect and security, as well as cooperation with France, India, China, and European countries, which, according to him, should strengthen Armenia.

Ghukasian stated that the primary strategic ally should be a strong Armenian state, the Armenian army, and the will of the Armenian people. "A weak state has no allies; a weak state is used," he emphasized.

The leader of the DOK party also announced that before entering into the nation-building process, it is necessary to carry out a "sanitary cleansing" within the country. "Until the country is cleansed from within, we will not have a normal state," he said.

The "Democracy, Law, Discipline" party is participating in the parliamentary elections under number 15 and has submitted an electoral list consisting of 93 candidates to the CEC.

According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service, Vardan Ghukasian entered the United States in 2022 but did not leave the country within the stipulated period, resulting in his involvement in immigration proceedings, and he is currently in custody by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Las Vegas, Nevada.