ARMENIAN PRESS DAY MARKED IN THE PARLIAMENT
National Assembly of RA
16.10.2008
Armenia
On October 16 the NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan invited the
journalists accredited in the parliament to mark jointly the Armenian
Press Day. The NA deputies, representatives of the staff and others
attended the reception. Addressing the journalists the NA Speaker said:
"It’s already four years we mark the Armenian Press Day. Today we
can record that the press of the third Republic of Armenia is an
established structure, which adequately responds the society’s all
important and viable problems, forming public opinion and ensuring the
right of peoples’ getting information formulated by the Constitution
of the Republic of Armenia. On the Armenian Press Day we can state
also that in Armenia the information field is established: there are
journalists, who are clever and well aware of their work, and due to
their everyday work we get information not only about the events in
the country and out of the country, but we also become witnesses of
analytical and journalistic investigations, and their aim is to see
everybody’s life more perfect. I congratulate all the journalists
of the Republic of Armenia on the occasion of their professional
holiday. I wish them creative success, objectivity, honesty and
decency in their professional activity."
Taking the advantage I introduce you the press secretary of the NA
Speaker Ms Mary Shahinyan, who, I think most of you know. I am sure
that your further cooperation with her will be effective.
I once again congratulate all of you on the occasion of the
professional holiday and wish you fruitful work."
NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan also answered the journalists’
questions.
Aravot daily: What principles will you be guided by in your work? How
are you going to contact with the journalists?"
NA Speaker: I have presented my approaches while being elected and I
have mentioned the principles, by which I am going to be guided. In my
opinion, there will be a lot of contacts with the journalists while
working. I won’t avoid expressing my opinion in connection with any
issue, presenting my approaches. I won’t be inaccessible for you.
Azg daily: There is information that there should be personnel
replacements in the NA Staff.
NA Speaker: While meeting with the NA Staff I have presented my
approaches, and I haven’t expressed such an opinion. I would to
say once again that I do not have any agreement or any problem
with anybody. To me the working activity of the employee will be
important. If they work effectively, of course, expecting my support,
I shall be a partner with everybody and I shall work with everybody. I
have no such problem with anybody.
Aravot daily: Mr Abrahamyan, you are well known as a political figure,
who worked long years in the executive body, now you are a head of
the legislative body. Was anything new for you here?
NA Speaker: I am not a new man here: in 1985-1989 I have been NA
deputy, and the experience of the executive body helps to fulfill
the functions, which are reserved for the National Assembly by RA
Constitution and laws. You see that the control functions are reserved
for the National Assembly on the budget execution, effectiveness of
the expenses towards to RA Government.
Hayk newspaper: Mr Abrahamyan, in your programme speech during the
election in the National Assembly you spoke about moving the political
dialogue into parliament. How do you see the dialogue when there are
only seven opposition MPs, and the opposition is out of the walls of
the parliament?
NA Speaker: I cannot help everybody in order to have them inside the
parliament, as I don’t have that right. I will urge them to take part
in NA 2012 elections and find their place in the National Assembly. By
the way, I will call on all political forces to put an end to their
ineffective public meetings in the streets. I am ready to discuss
any constructive proposal in the National Assembly involving all
public-political forces.
We’ll add that on October 16 a new office for the journalists was
opened with computers and communication means.