Public Television of Armenia
July 9 2009

Armenian leader says Public Council integral part of government

[Presenter] Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met 36 members of the
Public Council today. This was the first meeting since the council had
been completely formed. The president said that the council is an
unprecedented institution whose structure and regulations draws on
those of state agencies. Sargsyan noted that the government’s
assistance to the council depends on the activities of the its members
and expressed his readiness to discuss any initiatives put forward by
the council. Sargsyan said that he did not want the Public Council to
be transformed into a closed club. On the contrary, he wants it to
become the institution which is able to listen to opinions and make
decisions.

[Correspondent] Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met 36 members of
the Public Council today, for the first time since the council had
been completely formed. The president said that the development of the
council depends on the activities of the 36 members of the council. He
pointed out that the authorities are ready to discuss any initiative
put forward by the council and view the council as an integral part of
the state agencies.

[Sargsyan] I am aware of the regulations of the council and suppose
that your decisions are not binding for the administrative agencies of
the state, and they will not have a direct influence on policies. But
it is clear to everyone that this institution has been set up in order
to have an influence exactly on policies. This may sound contradictory
at first, but it is clear to me that there is no contradiction here.

[Passage omitted: repetition]

This structure is an important one. I did not pursue any aim [by
setting up the council] and can assure you that I will not pursue any
aim in the future either. I wish that you can play an important role
in the process of decision making. I do not doubt that the operation
of the council will be successful.

[Passage omitted: the chairman of the Public Council briefed the
president on future plans]