Meeting with Ohanyan: Political forces state about unity with army

Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan met today with the parliamentary vice speakers and representatives of the National Assembly’s factions.

The meeting was attended by deputies from all the parliamentary factions – the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), “alternative” Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), and opposition parties - ARF-Dashnaktsutyun, Armenian National Congress (HAK), Heritage, and Orinats Yerkir (OEK): Vahram Baghdasaryan, Stepan Margaryan, Armen Rustamyan, Levon Zurabyan, Ruben Hakobyan and Heghine Bisharyan.

Parliamentary vice speaker Edward Sharmazanov told Aysor.am that it is not the first time that Armenian parliament deputies have visited frontline positions. In his words, such visits have already become traditional. “We are not going to divide the Homeland. Yesterday I went to Noyemberian where shots are heard quite frequently. Other deputies also pay regular visits to border areas,” he noted.

Speaking about the meeting with the defense minister, Sharmazanov said the deputies called Azerbaijan’s position inadmissible, expressed their common approach, and underlined the need for the Armenian army’s support by all the political and social forces of the country.

“There are no authorities and opposition forces regarding the issue of Homeland. All the factions are united. We attach importance to cooperation with Defense Ministry and expressed readiness to assist it,” Sharmazanov said.

“The defense minister informed the parliamentary factions’ representatives about the situation and assured them that the Armenian army is in control of the situation. We are sure that our army can be in control of everything and is able to give a fitting rebuff to the enemy. Regardless of whether we represent the authorities or opposition, we try to be united and serve as an example for others. It is an issue of national and state interests so it concerns everyone. The Homeland is one for everyone so there are no authorities and opposition in this matter and we are not going to divide the Homeland. The deputies expressed their readiness to work closely with Armenian Defense Ministry,” Sharmazanov said.

“The people living at the border should know that they are not alone. Deputies will continue to visit border villages. This time the heads of parliamentary factions will go, the next time - various deputy groups,” he said.

Sharmazanov said all the political forces expressed a common approach and stressed the need to support the Armenian army.
Deputy of BHK faction Stepan Margaryan said that the situation on the border was discussed at the meeting with Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan. According to him, an agreement was reached to issue a joint statement.

“We will issue a joint statement. The minister presented the situation on the border, we voiced our opinions and expressed our readiness to back the army. We have a strong army that efficiently performs its tasks. Our borders are well protected,” he said.