German Sterligov: Artsakh, Ararat and Lake Van are all Armenian lands

In an exclusive interview with Alpha News‘ Armen Yurkhanyan, former Russian entrepreneur German Sterligov has opened up about his stay in Artsakh, the attitude of Armenians towards him, and has given advice to all Armenians on how to effectively achieve goals both in everyday life and in politics.

“Artsakh, Ararat and Lake Van are all Armenian lands,” says Sterligov. After his stay in Artsakh in 2015, Alpha News’ interlocutor has the warmest memories of the local people, whom he sets as an example.

“There is no theft in Artsakh; there is no crime at all. No one locks cars. Even the police stop the car and ask if you need any help.

When we were kicked out of the hotel, strangers, for example, the chief of the Artsakh police, sent us fruit. I highly appreciated this, not because fruit is a very valuable gift, but because I understood what he was risking. He showed public courage. And we didn’t even know each other. He sent this as an apology for the Armenians who did this,” says Sterligov.

Sterligov has a formula for resolving issues in politics, and in his opinion, this is the most effective way to achieve results.

“I have repeatedly asked many respected Armenians who have authority and big money in both Russia and Armenia why they don’t create some kind of foundation to give gifts to politicians from different countries and to communicate with members of royal families. It’s all expensive. Pitch in, send your representative there. Why does Agalarov (Azerbaijani businessman – ed.) communicate with the royal family? People who have been giving gifts for decades are friends and say, ‘Can you do us a favor? There is such a territory there, Artsakh; we would like to take several thousand square kilometers.’ And the response is ‘take it!’.

Where were the Armenians? What did you save on? You saved some money; did you gain anything from that? This is how Azerbaijanis act in Russia: they congratulate MPs and ministers on their birthdays every year. Well, of course, they are treated well. Which Armenian does this on behalf of Armenia? None. This is the only thing that has worked throughout the history of mankind: family ties and relationships, gifts and attention, family friendship and common affairs. This is the only thing that works!” says the ex-businessman.

At the end of the conversation, our interlocutor gave the main advice: “You need to improve your relationship with Almighty God!”