ARMENIAN PRESIDENT INTRODUCES NEW PM TO GOVERNMENT

ARKA news Agency, Armenia
April 6 2007

YEREVAN, April 5. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan during
the Government’s meeting introduced new Prime Minister – ex-Minister
of Defense – Serge Sargsyan to the government members, said the RA
President’s Public Relations’ Department.

"I think there is no need to introduce Serge Sargsyan, I will just
remind that he has been a government member since 1993 and worked
in the President’s administration only 6 months. Over 8 years Serge
Sargsyan was the Defense Minister and headed the army that we all are
proud of, and, of course, it is difficult to estimate his contribution
to army’s formation," Kocharyan said.

He said that he knows Sargsyan as a diligent, worthy and consistent
person. The President expressed confidence that during the pre-election
period new premier will be able to head the government.

At the same time he called upon the ministers during the pre-election
stage to organize the government’s activity in a way not to derange
the Ministries’ natural work.

Armenian previous Prime Minister, Chairman of the Republican Party
Andranik Margaryan died from heart attack at the age of 56 on March
25. Margaryan has led the Government since 2000.

On Monday, March 26, Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan resigned
after the Prime Minister’s sudden death. According to the result of
President’s consultations with the representatives of parliament’s
majority it was agreed that the PM’s post is reserved to the RPA.

On April 2, Council of the Republican Party of Armenia unanimously
approved Sargsyan’s candidacy to PM’s office.