GEVORG HARUTYUNYANHE MAIN MOTIVATION IS THE PROVISION OF THE ATMOSPHERE OF TOLERANCE AND DIALOGUE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 28, 2008
Armenia

Interview with the Head of RPA Parliamentary Faction Karen Karapetyan.

"Mr. Karapetyan during the extraordinary session of the parliament
amendments were made in "NA Regulations" law according to which
the number of the standing committees is increased by three: of
agricultural, environmental, social issues, territorial governance
and local self governmental issues. Was there any need to do so or
you took this step to meet the demands of the coalition partners,
like for example the MPs belonging to "Heritage" party interpret."

"Coalition took this decision based on the indispensability which was
conditioned by certain factors. Firstly we all speak about raising the
effectiveness of the Parliament’s activity. Taking into account the
fact that the standing committees shoulder the entire responsibility
of the laws, in my view their activity must become more flexible
and productive. There are committees, which are really overloaded,
that is why it was very important to maintain proportionality.

The next reason derives from the policy adopted by RPA, which is –
to ensure an atmosphere of complete cooperation and tolerance. If you
remember after the Parliamentary elections of 1999 the representatives
of opposition were also included in the administration of the National
Assembly. This fact contributes to the establishment of the atmosphere
of tolerance and dialogue. That is why at present we are guided by
the same logic."

"From your words can we assume that members of "Heritage" party will
be included in the committees?"

"We are based on the reality created after the parliamentary elections.

Each political power participated in the parliamentary elections with
their own program and they have attained certain amount of votes. So
at the moment those enjoying respect among the society are represented
in the Parliament.

The political majority possesses the levers to implement its own
program.

What the political minority has is their words, which they actively
use.

But, what we propose is, not to be satisfied with words only, but
instead to be involved in the parliamentary administrative activity,
thus ensuring opportunities to influence political decision and
political processes.

That is why we propose "Orinats Yerkir" party to head two of the newly
set up three committees, because this party has got more mandates,
and "Heritage" party to head the other committee.

In our view our partners from "Heritage" party will accept our
proposal as a step towards cooperation and dialogue. Our country
and the people will only benefit from such atmosphere, because thus
we will mitigate the tension and make the activity of the National
Assembly more productive, as well as to find the best ways to overcome
the challenges faced by the country, through dialogue."