Author: Ara Felekian

Defense minister of Armenia Davit Tonoyan on May 16 held a consultation over the complaints of officers of military commissariats, Artsrun Hovhannisyan – spokesman of the defense ministry, said on Facebook.

The officers are protesting against the optimization of military commissariats.

The spokesman said the defense minister got acquainted with the issue in-detail and gave instructions to continue the works to implement the optimization concept. “At the same time the minister tasked to present him respective proposals and solutions within a week on the issues of providing the staff with jobs”, the spokesman said.

Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s remark about March 1 during the meeting with opposition MP Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday cannot whatsoever be viewed as a threat, and cannot be a threat, defense minister Vigen Sargsyan [no relation to Serzh Sargsyan] said at a press briefing on Monday.

“It is viewed as a warning that any such situation can lead to tension and escalation, which no one needs. I believe that the fact of negotiations itself, despite all formats which were clearly aimed for the negotiations not to be held – ranging from holding it before media, in the Marriott hotel, whereas there are appropriate state structures, buildings etc. But the fact that the meeting took place, this itself shows the Prime Minister’s and the government’s intention for dialogue,” the defense minister said.

Asked by a reporter if the military’s involvement is possible for suppressing the disobedience wave, the defense minister cited the legal regulations and laws, saying :”You and our society must be certain that our legislation very clearly regulates the limit where and how the armed forces can be involved in such situations. This is possible only in case of a state of emergency and only for implementing individual clear functions, as an additional way of enforcement, but not physical, rather force which is necessary for maintaining the conditions of the appropriate [state of emergency] regime”.

The minister emphasized that he and all countrymen expect that no need for a state of emergency will exist.

“Let’s hope we won’t need it for many years in our country. But that’s what legislation is written for, it is written when everything is calm, in order to have appropriate procedures in relevant situations,” he said.

March 1 is a colloquial term referring to the 2008 post electoral developments in Armenia, when mass protests turned violent and claimed 10 lives. Nikol Pashinyan was declared wanted. After a year in hiding, Pashinyan turned himself in and was subsequently imprisoned for his role in the 2008 deadly unrest. He was released after serving roughly two years behind bars.

During the Saturday meeting with opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan made a remark that Pashinyan “didn’t learn lessons from March 1”.

Armenia’s transitioning to a parliamentary system will enable to implement democratic transformations and to develop the country’s economy more rapidly, 3rd President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the ruling Republican Party’s candidate for Prime Minister, told the Russian Izvestiya news agency in an interview.

“Actually, we are already living in a parliamentary republic for a few days now. Tomorrow Members of Parliament will elect a Prime Minister. Thus, all main organs of administration of the country will be formed. Constitutional changes began in Armenia in 2005 [Referendum introduced checks and balances, presidential powers were decreased and parliament’s role expanded. They [changes] came into legal force in 2007.

By holding high positions of state administration for many years, including the office of Prime Minister and President, our colleagues and I came to a conclusion that the semi-presidential administration format contains big threats, because it isn’t balanced,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

Sargsyan stressed that it had turned out that the President had great responsibility in the domestic and foreign policy and security issues, however did not have relevant powers to initiative the obligations under the Constitution.

“A return to a presidential system wouldn’t have been positively perceived in our society. The 2008 presidential elections proceeded not smoothly, didn’t they? Almost all political forces were demanding to change the system of administration into a parliamentary [system]. In response to such desires, we decided to balance the political structure of the country, which not stands out with strong legislative power of the parliament, before which the government is held fully accountable to. I believe that this kind of administration type is more in line with Armenian reality and the mentality of our people. This will enable to implement democratic transformations and to develop Armenia’s economy with a more rapid pace,” Sargsyan said.