Tatoyan: One of first steps of Wings of Unity Party, if successful in  elections, be to resolve army`s problems

ArmInfo. One of the first steps of the Wings of Unity Party, if successful in the elections, will be to resolve the army's problems. Party leader Arman Tatoyan stated this during the election campaign in the Tavush region.

According to him, it will be imperative to increase funding for the  armed forces. This will be possible with a $1 billion increase in  gross domestic product. In this case, funding for the army will be  increased starting from the first year. Against this backdrop, steps  will be taken to qualitatively improve the social status of military  personnel, whether contract soldiers or officers. At the same time,  everyone must understand that an officer is not a social burden for  the state, but a pillar of the state's security.

Tatoyan recalled that, as the Human Rights Defender, he frequently  visited military units. During meetings with servicemen, they  constantly raised the issue of their social status, talked at length  about loans they had to repay, and about agriculture, but not about  the military service itself. In such a situation, the former  Ombudsman noted, it is difficult to imagine servicemen being able to  focus on their direct responsibilities.  "For this reason, we need to  change the logic of social support," the politician said, emphasizing  the need to reform the Armed Forces, giving them the character of  mobile troops and the right to make local decisions.  "It is  important to abandon dependence on the decisions of the political  leadership so that the response to each specific case is adequate.  This requires professionals the state will trust," Tatoyan noted.

He also emphasized the need to develop a very strong intelligence  service, which must have complete information on what the opposing  army is doing in each specific case, so that it can quickly counter  it if necessary. The politician emphasized that the army must be able  to protect the state's security. It must have strong capabilities to  counter any encroachments.

As a reminder, Armenia will hold its next parliamentary elections on  June 7, with 19 political forces - 17 parties and two blocs -  participating.