CIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY WELCOMES SERZH SARKISIAN’S NEW APPOINTMENT
ARMENPRESS
Apr 05 2007
YEREVAN, APRIL 5, ARMENPRESS: The Russian executive secretary of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a loose union of former
Soviet republics, welcomed today in Yerevan president Kocharian’s
decision to appoint defense minister Serzh Sarkisian as a new prime
minister following the sudden death of Andranik Margarian, who died
on March 25.
"We are very well familiar with Serzh Sarkisian, because of his
good job and because of our constant contacts with him. We are very
positive about his new appointment and expect effective cooperation,’
Vladimir Rushailo said.
Sarkisian was appointed by Robert Kocharian to fill the vacancy late
Wednesday. By a separate decree Kocharian relieved him of defense
minister’s duties.
Under the Armenian constitution Serzh Sarkisian has 20 days to form his
cabinet and have its make-up endorsed by the president. He will have
another 20 days to submit the cabinet’s plan of actions to parliament
for approval, but in view of the fact that he will have to resign
right after the May 12 parliamentary elections, the parliament will
actually be unable to vote on it.
It also emerged today that the UK prime minister Tony Blair sent a
message to Serzh Sarkisian to congratulate him on his new tenure. The
news was announced by the British embassy in Yerevan.