A former member of Armenia’s National Assembly, Tigran Arzakantsyan, has expressed willingness to back Serzh Sargsyan in the 2013 presidential election.

Speaking to Tert.am, the ex-lawmaker, who now owns a big business, addressed possible political developments in Armenia, noting that the ruling Republican Party will definitely put up with its former coalition partner, Prosperous Armenia, sometime in the future.

“I will definitely endorse incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan during the presidential polls. As regards the RPA-PAP conflict, I cannot say anything for sure now as I have been busy only with business and never managed to keep track of those developments. But I see everything is going to be all right as the two forces will come to terms,” he said.

Asked about a recent transaction with the Russian company Sberbank Kapital (which purchased 49% of the shares belonging to Paramount Gold Mining, a company owned by Arzakantsyan), the ex-parliament member said the move was necessary for paving his company’s way to the world market.

“Sberbank saw it is possible to ensure development with my company, and they concluded the deal with me. This is not the first time Sberbank is making an investment in Armenia. The transaction will help create 450 new jobs and re-equip and expand the industries,” he said.

The businessman stressed the importance of creating an enabling atmosphere, expressing hope that the Armenian economy will see positive changes in that direction in the near future.

Arzakantsyan said further that his charity foundation has carried out a great deal of work.

“A highway like the one we now have in Gavar [ the provincial capital of Gegharkinuk, Arzakantsyan’s native city] did not exist even in the Soviet period. A lot is being done, and the foundation will soon launch a website to make the information available to all. I cannot enumerate everything now,” he said.