Serzh Sargsyan praised Armenian parliamentarians for effective work: National Assembly is on the right track

ArmInfo. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with the leadership of the National Assembly of Armenia. According to the press service of the Armenian leader, Sargsyan stated that he periodically meets with the chairman of the Armenian parliament, other deputies, but the meeting in this format is unprecedented and aims to concentrate as much as possible attention to the complex work resulting from the new management system provided for by the reformed Constitution, as well as a number of topical issues of concern to all. The Armenian leader recalled that he detailed the issue of the activity vector of the National Assembly during his speech in the parliament on May 18 last year and in this connection will not be repeated. Speaker of the Armenian parliament Ara Babloyan presented a full and effective implementation of the powers of the National Assembly, which it is endowed with the Constitution; the work done by the 6th convocation of the parliament aimed at ensuring the natural activity of the legislature and enhancing its effectiveness; held hearings on issues of concern to the public; the results of the activity of the standing commissions and factions in the above-mentioned period, including, in the direction of activating parliamentary diplomacy. The NA Speaker, his deputies, and other deputies present: the leaders of the Republican Party of Armenia faction, the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, the Tsarukyan bloc and the chairmen of the standing committees presented their views and proposals on the most important issues identified by the Armenian president, as well as on forthcoming activities, on priority directions of activity of the legislative body in the conditions of the parliamentary form of government, as well as concerning existing problems and challenges. The parliamentarians agreed that on the most important issues for the state, the political forces represented in the National Assembly always demonstrated unity and consolidated both during their work at international venues and on matters relating to the protection and security of the country. In their opinion, among the issues requiring a priority solution is the need to take effective measures to strengthen the analytical and expert capabilities of the National Assembly apparatus, as well as to improve the quality of the work of friendship groups with different countries. In his statement to parliamentarians, the president, in particular, noted that he was satisfied with the work of the National Assembly in the direction of the transition of the republic to a parliamentary form of government. "Since May 2018, the National Assembly adopted 286 laws," the head of state said, stressing, however, that one should not stop at what has been achieved, and it is necessary to maintain the pace. According to him, the parliament needs to do even more work in a short time - it is necessary to bring the Judicial Code to the final form, to adopt the Codes on the Constitutional Court, the Government, the Security Council. All this, he said, should ensure a smooth transition to a parliamentary form of government. "Your work over the past period has shown that the parliament is the main arena of socio- political processes, which became evident not only during plenary sessions, but also at parliamentary commissions and during hearings," the president said, emphasizing the importance of the work of the newly created Council NA. The President also stressed that the National Assembly should act as an arena for the joint work of the opposition and the ruling majority. Against this backdrop, Sargsyan noted that meetings are not always held without excesses, they often give up the nerves of deputies, while expressing confidence that this will eventually pass. In the light of the above, the President highly appreciated the tolerance of NA President Ara Babloyan. He called on the representatives of the ruling majority to be more tolerant in future. The head of state drew attention to the social and economic problems of the country. "The Council of the National Assembly should keep an eye on the pulse by conducting parliamentary hearings on various topical issues, including in connection with the latest price hikes for a number of essential goods, I think it will be useful," he said. The President again noted the obvious progress in the work of the National Assembly, stressing that Armenia needs a parliament that would not only enact laws, but also exercise control functions. "In this respect, the National Assembly is on the right track," he assured. Sargsyan also underscored the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, recalling the global international forum "Against the Crime of Genocide" to be held in late 2018, in which the National Assembly will play a special role. He also noted that since 2018, the lion's share of lawmaking activity will fall on the shoulders of the parliament, and the president's apparatus will no longer participate in this. "This is a big responsibility," the head of state said. "Armenia enters an important political stage - the National Assembly must elect 4 Armenian President until April 9. I hope that the parliamentarians will take this seriously, and, of course, it is desirable that the president be elected in full consensus." On April 9, Armenia will also elect premier, "Sargsyan underscored, noting that before this the National Assembly has to elect the Supreme Judicial Council, which has an exclusive role in ensuring the independence of the judiciary. "This structure will play a decisive role in the development of our country," he said, adding that it will be necessary to replenish the staff of the Constitutional Court and appoint members of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. "I think there is no need to explain how important it is for us to fight against this evil," Sargsyan said, adding that in 2018 there will be a number of important national events - the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the First Republic, as well as the May victories.