MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE APPOINTED IN ARMENIA
by Natalia Leshchenko
World Markets
Global Insight
April 15, 2008
The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan has appointed two ministers
in the new cabinet. Eduard Nabaldian, previously Armenia’s ambassador
to France and Italy, will replace the long-serving Vardan Oskanian,
who refused to enter the new government, as the Minister for Foreign
Affairs. The position of Minister of Defence went to Seiran Oganian,
formerly the Chief of Staff of Armenian army and first deputy defence
minister.
Significance:The cabinet formation will continue this week, and the
new Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian has already appeared to play
an instrumental rather than key role in the process, with Sargsyan
evidently taking charge. The Cabinet will be composed from the
representatives of four parliamentary factions to allow the government
to claim democratic credentials.