Sarafian: TRIPP Is Being Criticized by Those Who Handed Over Factories to Russia Under the “Assets for Debt” Deal

YEREVAN — Hampik Sarafian, Chairman of the Central Board of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, said that, as things stand today, the peace steps taken in the Armenia–Azerbaijan direction represent U.S. President Donald Trump’s only tangible success.

“Because his approach has always been driven not by ideology or a system of values, but by a commercial, material mindset, such an opportunity opened up. There was talk about the Middle Corridor… it is clear that this region is one of the key links, and success on this issue was necessary,” Sarafian said in an interview at Civic.am’s studio.

According to Sarafian, the criticism directed at the authorities on this issue is aimed purely at mobilizing opposition voters.
“Russia has held monopolies in various sectors here for years, and that is considered a positive phenomenon. But suddenly, when America comes in, they say we are giving up sovereign territory. Praise and criticism should be applied equally. I understand the opposition—they were hoping for failures so they could succeed in the next elections, but the opposite is happening. Most importantly, practical steps are being taken,” he noted.

Sarafian believes that Armenia has now become a full-fledged partner for the United States.
“Criticism is coming from the very people who, under the ‘Assets for Debt’ deal, handed over factories of vital importance to the country to Russia. They fail to see the beam in their own eye, yet point out the speck in someone else’s,” he concluded.

Below is the full interview in Armenian