What Did Armen Sarkissian and Nikol Pashinyan Discuss

The President of the Republic, Armen Sarkissian, held a working meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the Presidential Palace on December 9.

Sarkissian and Pashinyan discussed issues related to the current agenda of the country and development programs. The interlocutors highlighted the importance of their traditional, periodic meetings as an effective platform for exchanging ideas on the development process and vision of the country.

President Armen Sarkissian: "Mr. Prime Minister, I am glad that we are meeting again today. In the morning, we met near the Genocide Memorial, where we paid our respects along with the President of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan and Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan to all the victims of genocide and also discussed the evaluation and reconsideration directions of the Armenian Great Genocide. I am pleased that we are holding our next meeting this evening, and I believe it is important for both sides. I would be pleased to discuss all possible issues that are critical today for both our country and our people, and I would also like to hear from you about the government's achievements, or if there are sectors where I could be of assistance, as you know, I am always ready to help."

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan: "Thank you, Mr. President. I, too, am pleased with today’s meeting. Our working meetings are periodic, and in recent months, I believe both you and I have been working with a fairly busy agenda, and it is very important that we share the results of that work with each other because I think a correct coordination of state institutions' work in our country is generally a crucial and urgent issue.”

"Yes, today we paid our respects in connection with the International Day of the Prevention of Genocide to all victims of genocide, and we discussed that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide is for us not only an acknowledgment of a historical fact and justice but also an important contribution to the global prevention of genocides. And, of course, we have said before that we view the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a key component of the security of Armenia and the Armenian people. We have discussed this topic before and will talk about it today to clarify our further actions. The year is also ending; it is important that we begin to summarize the year's results. A few days ago, the National Assembly adopted the law on the state budget for 2020, and I noted that we are concluding the year with quite good economic indicators, which is important for entering next year with more confidence. Of course, I think that as part of the year's summary, we should also record our shortcomings, omissions, and difficulties, which are certainly inevitable, but that does not mean that we should not take steps aimed at eliminating them and ensuring more effective work.”

"And of course, you mentioned your position regarding supporting the government and the National Assembly's activities, and it is very important to note, and I am glad to state that a very good working atmosphere has been established between the President of the Republic, the government, and the National Assembly, and we have quite good cooperation. Of course, this is a very encouraging fact, especially in the context of the logic of new constitutional structures, and on the other hand, our agreement is to do everything possible to make that interaction more effective."

President Armen Sarkissian: "Of course, that is true. I want to second you by saying that the cooperation of our state institutions is fundamental and very significant. I was recently asked what I would consider my best achievement when my presidential term ends. I said that my best achievement would be to leave the presidency confident that the presidential institution has established itself in this new parliamentary system, and that I will pass on to my successor an institution that has its traditions and its own weight and has a tradition of working and cooperating with the government and the National Assembly. You are right that one of the key factors for the stability, development, and security of our state is that we all work harmoniously together. I agree with you also regarding the recognition of the Genocide. Recognition of the Genocide is not an end in itself and has several meanings. One of the most important is our national security. The year is coming to a close, and we must summarize the successes and difficulties that have occurred, or perhaps mistakes made, as well as plan for the next year. It is very significant that the next year is a successful year. It is a very important year, a year in which the cooperation between our state structures will deepen, we will achieve greater successes, and we will look to the future with more confidence."