Monday, April 13 2020 10:41

ArmInfo.President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan held an expanded meeting of the interagency commission coordinating work to prevent the spread of the  new coronavirus.

As the NKR President's press service reports, representatives of the  legislative, executive and judicial bodies attended the meeting. The  President sent a message to the citizens of the republic and said  that he had signed a decree introducing an emergency regime in the  Republic of Artsakh in order to prevent the spread of a new  coronavirus infection and protect the population from the threat of a  coronavirus pandemic.  Then, Sahakyan made an appeal to citizens,  which in particular states:

"During a government meeting on March 19 of this year, at which a  discussion was held on the issue of" Preventing the spread of a new  type of coronavirus disease and preparedness to protect the  population from the threat of the coronavirus epidemic, "I informed  our citizens about all the measures taken.  There I noted that the  government will take all necessary possible measures to prevent the  spread of coronavirus in our republic, and that these works will be  permanent. It was also noted that in the event of new circumstances,  additional steps will be taken, and our citizens will be immediately  informed about this.  For objective reasons, it turned out that the  spread of this virus in the world coincided with the organization and  holding of national presidential and parliamentary elections, as  provided for by the Constitution of our republic.

Under the current conditions, we had to do everything to ensure that  the elections were held in the prescribed period, and, most  importantly, the health of the population was ensured, "Sahakyan  emphasized.  At the same time, he stated that the holding of national  presidential and parliamentary elections provided for by the  Constitution is not someone's whim. The head of the NKR added that  this is a clear awareness of the current situation, that the failure  to hold elections on time can in itself lead to a constitutional  crisis with many outgoing, unpredictable, negative consequences.

"That is why all the comprehensive measures envisaged by the  government's decision, involving the fight against coronavirus and  now operating in different countries, were implemented. The fight  against the spread of infection in the republic did not stop even for  a minute. The interdepartmental commission is actively working, and  all the tasks put forward are quickly solved.

I would especially like to note that in our country, efforts to  prevent the spread of coronavirus are implemented in close  cooperation with the relevant structures of the Republic of Armenia.  And on all questions that arise, I constantly hold political  consultations with the top leadership of Armenia ... It is not yet  clear how long this epidemic will last and what impact it will have  on the world economy. The state should do everything possible to  prevent the economic crisis in our country, "Sahakyan noted.   Recalling that on March 31 the nationwide elections were held in the  country, according to the results of which the forces that were  elected to the parliament were determined, Sahakyan noted the  necessity of holding the second round of presidential elections on  April 14.

Moreover, the head of the NKR added that in connection with the  detection of several cases of coronavirus infection in the republic,  there is a need for additional security measures, including during  the upcoming April 14 presidential elections.

He also added that the decision to enter an emergency in Artsakh will  enter into force on April 12 at 22:00 local time, a commandant's  office has been created to coordinate restrictive measures, led by  NKR State Minister Grigor Martirosyan.

"I am sure that thanks to the wisdom, discipline and high civic  responsibility of our people, we will be able to overcome all  difficulties, effectively solve problems and at the same time hold  this important event for our country of national importance, namely  the election of the President of the Republic of Artsakh, while  taking all necessary measures to ensuring public health.

On election day, rigorous health and sanitation measures will be  taken at all polling stations. We must do everything possible to  prevent and neutralize all negative consequences. We will do our best  to go through this important period with all responsibility.

I urge our citizens to approach the decisions taken with  understanding, strictly monitor the implementation of the measures  and instructions provided. All our actions should be aimed at the  benefit of our country and its citizens, the future of our free,  independent and democratic state, "summed up the President of  Artsakh.