President Vahagn Khachaturyan addressed the Opening Session of the 9th Convocation of the National Assembly

President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan delivered an address at the opening of the first session of the 9th Convocation of the National Assembly.

The President’s address:

“Honourable Chair,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Dear Compatriots,

I congratulate you on the opening of the first session of the 9th Convocation of the National Assembly.

Today, the newly elected National Assembly, formed through the free expression of the will of the people of the Republic of Armenia, begins its work. This marks another important milestone in our state’s development and reaffirms the fundamental principle of democracy: that power derives from the people and is exercised through their elected representatives.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the 8th Convocation of the National Assembly for their dedicated service and their contribution to the development of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

I extend my special thanks to the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Their active participation in the elections and their free expression of will are not only essential components of the democratic process but also the clearest evidence of the vitality of our statehood, public responsibility, and civic maturity.

I congratulate the political force that has secured a parliamentary majority for earning the trust of our citizens.

At the same time, I congratulate all the political forces represented in the National Assembly, whom our citizens have entrusted with representing and defending their ideas and aspirations.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Each convocation of the National Assembly shapes not only the political agenda of its time but also the institutional culture of the state’s development. Therefore, the success of this Parliament will be measured not merely by the number of laws it adopts, but by their quality, their impact on society, and their contribution to the country’s long-term development.

The citizens of the Republic of Armenia expect this chamber to demonstrate political maturity, responsible lawmaking, and debates centered not on political confrontation but on statesmanship.

The National Assembly is the supreme representative and legislative body of the country. It is the nation’s foremost political platform, where competition of ideas should lead to state solutions, political disagreements should result in better decisions, and public trust should be transformed into fair and sustainable legislation.

The strength of democracy does not lie in unanimity of opinion. It lies in the peaceful, dignified, and responsible coexistence of differing views in pursuit of a common goal—the strengthening of the Republic of Armenia and the well-being of its people. Parliamentary debate is an inseparable part of democracy.

Its value, however, is determined not by the sharpness of rhetoric but by the ideas that serve the public good. Political competition is not an end in itself. It is valuable insofar as it contributes to more effective governance, fairer legislation, and a stronger state.

The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia entrusts every Member of Parliament with the noble mission of representing the entire nation. This mission requires making decisions guided not by political expediency, but by conscience, professional conviction, and a profound sense of responsibility.

It also demands the courage to make decisions that serve the public good, the long-term interests of the state, and the well-being of future generations.

The public expects the National Assembly to be a place where differing political views do not deepen divisions but instead compete to offer the most beneficial solutions for the country. We need a political culture in which disagreement does not become intolerance, and principled positions never exclude mutual respect.

The Civil Contract Party has been entrusted with the responsibility of governing the country. That trust is, above all, the highest responsibility—to be guided unwaveringly by the Constitution and the laws, to fully appreciate the value of public confidence, and to assume full responsibility for every decision made.

The strength of a political majority is measured not only by the authority it possesses but also by the depth of the responsibility it bears.

In a democratic parliament, the role of the opposition is of particular importance. An effective opposition is an essential component of good governance. Its oversight function, principled and professional criticism, alternative proposals, and initiatives contribute to improving the quality of governance, addressing shortcomings in a timely manner, and continuously refining public policies. Ultimately, in a healthy democracy, both the government and the opposition, though following different paths, serve the same objective—the progress of the Republic of Armenia.

The Parliament has been established with the highest purpose of transforming the public will into state decisions. Differences of opinion are natural, and at times inevitable, but they are valuable only when they contribute to better decision-making, fairer legislation, and the country’s development.

The challenges facing our nation require a strong awareness of the national interest, strategic vision, and the ability to work together.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Every convocation of the National Assembly leaves its own distinct mark on the history of our state. That legacy is shaped not only by the laws it adopts but also by the political culture established in this chamber, the responsibility with which the people’s mandate is exercised, and the trust built between the state and its citizens.

May the 9th Convocation of the National Assembly be remembered as a Parliament where political competition never outweighed national responsibility, where ideological differences did not hinder unity on matters of national importance, and where every decision was guided by the interests of the Republic of Armenia and its citizens.

I wish you wisdom, effectiveness, and a strong sense of responsibility in your work for the benefit of the Republic of Armenia and our people.”