Armen Sarkissian: It is very important for all branches of power to cooperate, to act as one for one entity – our country

Today, at the Presidential Palace President Armen Sarkissian met with Nikol Pashinian, the leader of My Step alliance which after the 2018 December 9 early elections to the National Assembly received the majority of seats in the parliament.

Guided by Part 1 of Article 149 of the Constitution, the President of Armenia signed a decree to appoint Nikol Pashinian Prime Minister.

President Sarkissian said in particular:

“Mr. Prime Minister, I once again congratulate you as the leader of the movement and the party on your victory in the parliamentary elections. I would like also to congratulate you on the first session of the National Assembly of the seventh convocation.

Our National Assembly has a lot of things to do, and on this stage these things are very precise. The Parliament should do its best so that the ideas of the Velvet Revolution, aspirations, hopes, and anticipations become a reality today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow.

I have received a proposal from the National Assembly and based on that, I will be happy to sign a decree to appoint you Prime Minister of Armenia. My congratulations, Mr. Prime Minister. My best wishes for success for the benefit of our Fatherland and the entire Armenian nation.”

The newly appointed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian thanked the President of Armenia and said, “Distinguished Mr. President, you have outlined clearly the circle we are working and have to work in. I would like to underline that the main political change which is anticipated in the Republic of Armenia has already happened – power has been returned fully to the people, and democracy in Armenia has prevailed. However, that democracy has to be enforced through the institutional guarantees, so that democracy, the rule of law, and general accessibility of the economic activities are ensured not through the political situation but through the mature democratic, state, and political institutions. Important changes have also happened in the economic life. In fact, monopolistic structure of economy in Armenia has been abolished, at least on the level of political will and reality, but here too, we need institutional guarantees. I think it is very important to stress that changes, which we anticipate, cannot take place without participation of the citizens, participation similar to the political changes which have taken place until now. Just as political, nonviolent “velvet” revolution took place in Armenia with the participation of Armenia’s citizens and millions of our compatriots in Spyurk, and they assumed their share of responsibility. I see the same for the formula of the economic revolution, under the condition that the government will assume its responsibilities and fulfill them. With this regard, I attach importance to the cooperation of our state institutions. In fact, we are dealing with a new situation, and I view as very important cooperation of the President, Prime Minister, Government, and the National Assembly.

It should be noted that in the last eight months some experience has already been accumulated. Nevertheless, this is a new situation, new institutional relations, and we need here too to establish traditions which will guarantee a clear division of power, democracy, the rule of law, and, of course, the system of checks and balances.

I would like to note that we all, I personally, our political force is dedicated to that vision and that idea. Democracy, the rule of law, and transparency are not just slogans for us but a system of values which we are guided by.

All this should be done in a way that will not lower the level of state governance but will enhance the efficiency of state administration, accountability, and the level of transparency. And certainly citizens of the Republic of Armenia must be sure that their right to choose authorities will never be taken away, even an attempt to do it is doomed to failure.

I thank you for good wishes. I would also like to thank the majority represented at the National Assembly for nominating me as prime minister of Armenia. I am confident that together, we are devoted to our country, to building a free and happy future for our nation.

Thank you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. I would like to repeat that I am glad to hear this. I am confident that these are not just words but something you believe in and are devoted to. So, in a sense this is your mission. I am glad to hear these words because ultimately we are here for one purpose – to make our country one of the best places in the world, to make our citizens truly proud. They should be happy to only in the emotional way but in substance too. They will be proud because will be living in a country where law and order prevail, in a country which is governed by laws and the Constitution rather than someone’s whim. A country where all their rights are not only respected but also protected. All our citizens have a right to live in a prosperous country where everyone is confident about the present and is confident about their children’s and grandchildren’s future.
I wish you cordially every success, I wish success to the government, and to the National Assembly because they have many things to do.

When we spoke of the Forth Republic in the past, it seemed to be a play of words. However, it is important as there is not only a new political situation but a new structure. And as you have noted the authorities and rights of different branches of power need to be distinguished clearly.

It is also very important for all branches of power – presidential, government, parliament, and why not, also the forth power, to be able to cooperate, to act as one for one entity- our country.

Thus, I congratulate you once again and wish you every success. Your success is our country’s success, our people’s, ours, also my success,” the President of Armenia said.