Sharmazanov: Four factions forgot to include important issue in their deman

The agenda of the Armenian authorities is much wider than the demands presented by the four non-government political forces, the vice speaker of the Armenian parliament Edward Sharmazanov told reporters today.

“There are no radical calls in the points submitted by the four factions. It is already a constructive approach. Yet those points do not make a comprehensive agenda. The authorities and the four factions are unanimous concerning one thing – the Nagorno Karabakh problem. The authorities, the opposition and the alternative force, as well as civil and social initiatives – we are all unanimous in our position on sovereignty of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. As regards the other points, the authorities and government of Armenia expressed their opinion,” Sharmazanov said, noting that for example, they already expressed their opinion about the compulsory accumulative pension system and 100% proportional electoral system. It does not mean, however, that a constructive dialog cannot be carried on about those issues, Sharmazanov added.

In his words, the four non-government parties either forgot or had no time to include the most important issue of the agenda in the 12 points they submitted – structural changes whose implementation is impossible without constitutional reforms.

When asked if the replacement of the prime minister is possible by September 30 as the four factions claim that ex-Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan resigned as a result of their joint actions, Sharmazanov replied: “The statements of the four factions are not the ultimate truth. The reality is different”.

“Who said that the prime minister’s replacement was the result of their demands. We just respected the ex-prime minister’s wish and accepted his resignation,” E. Sharmazanov said.

Today, on June 10 the four non-government factions of the parliament – ARFD, Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), Armenian National Congress (HAK) and Heritage factions – released a 12-point statement they adopted following a 4-hour meeting on June 2. The statement is related to domestic political problems, several legislative amendments, and the government’s activities. The point concerning the foreign-policy agenda states that the authorities must not “sign any document endangering the Nagorno Karabakh Republic”.