The presidency of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan were unsuccessful.

However, if we compare their presidencies, Armenia’s economic situation was better under Robert Kocharyan, Armenia’s ex-premier Hrant Bagratyan, who a member of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group, said on air on Azatutyun radio.

Comparing the state of freedom of speech, economy, foreign policy and culture during the presidency of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, Bagratyan pointed out a better freedom of the press situation under Serzh Sargsyan’s presidency.

He noted that the progress is logical: the mass media are being monopolized, and the ruling regime is affording this luxury.

During a TV program, Armenia’s ex-FM Vartan Oskanian called the liberated territories “occupied territories.” In this regard, Bagratyan does not think that a political figure that made such a mistake must leave politics for ever. He considers it a slip of the tongue.

“These territories are not occupied. Their status is different. One country attacked another and was thrown back, and our country created a security zone in the territories,” Bagratyan said.

He believes that Mr Oskanian should apologize.

Bagratyan noted that 20,000 people settled down in the liberated territories during his 2-month premiership, whereas the population decreased by 10,000 during the following 15 years.