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YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--The
Armenian Revolutionary Federation announced Thursday that its
members Armen Rustamian and Arthur Aghabekian will retain the
chairmanship of key commissions in Armenia's National Assembly,
despite the party's decision to pull out of Armenia's ruling
coalition earlier this week.
In making the announcement, the ARF Parliamentary Bloc chairman
Vahan Hovanessian said “A powerful opposition will strengthen
Armenia's statehood. It is because of this principle that we
decided to accept the suggestion, in an effort to not shift the
political landscape.”
Rustamian chairs the parliamentary commission on foreign
relations, while Aghabekian heads the commission on defense and
national security. The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly
Hrair Karapetian resigned his post, in accordance with the
decision to leave the coalition as that post is a governing one.
All ARF members holding senior positions in the executive and
legislative branches of government tendered their resignations
earlier this week following the party's decision to leave the
coalition after President Serzh Sarkisian's administration
announced it had agreed on a “roadmap” for normalizing relations
with Turkey on April 22, on the eve of the 94th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide.
Speaking on behalf of Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and the
three parties remaining in government, parliament speaker Hovik
Abrahamian on Wednesday urged the ARF to withdraw Rustamian's
and Aghabekian's resignations. The ARF's Supreme Council in
Armenia met to discuss the offer later in the day.
Hovannesian said the party was “mindful of the fact that this
step is aimed at making the political area healthier” noting
that the ARF has for years “fought, both inside and outside the
coalition, for expanding opposition rights in our country and
creating a civilized environment for debate.”
“We will strive to ensure that the opposition has more
mechanisms for counterbalancing and restraining the authorities
while working with them,” he said. “A strong opposition
strengthens the state.”
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