Two Members of the Public Council Announce Resignation

The president of the "For Social Justice" party, Arman Ghukasyan, and the party's vice-president, Tsovinar Kostanyan, have issued a statement announcing their departure from the Public Council's Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports due to the appointment of Styopa Safaryan as the head of the Public Council.

According to the party's statement, it specifically mentions: "Last week, it became known that the government of Armenia confirmed Styopa Safaryan for the position of head of the Public Council. Prior to that, Daniel Ioannissyan had been appointed a member of the Council. It is evident that the government is transitioning from a policy of ignoring the Public Council to one aimed at its complete transformation. Most likely, the government intends to see a specific group of organizations under the name of civil society in our country, which not only have a pro-Western reputation but also implement their projects based on direct financial support and the interests of the United States and the European Union. These include the "Institute for International and Security Affairs of Armenia" (MASI) and the "Informed Citizens Union" under the leadership of Safaryan and Ioannissyan.

We believe that the head of the Public Council should be a neutral figure, which would be acceptable to various segments of Armenia's civil society, and not Styopa Safaryan. Engaging such individuals in important positions, who continuously act against the strategic and political ally of Armenia, the Russian Federation, as well as against the integration of the Eurasian Economic Union, can harm the international interests of the Republic of Armenia.

As members of the Public Council's Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, we regret to inform that after consulting with members of the "For Social Justice" party, we have decided to leave the committee. We are always ready to work for the welfare of Armenia, but we are not confident that the ongoing processes around the Public Council align with our vision,

the statement concludes.