Arayik Harutyunyan Considers Moving the Presidential Residence to Shushi

The National Assembly convened an extraordinary session on August 11 at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan, attended by the president and representatives of the executive authorities.

Opening the session, the Assembly President Arthur Tovmasyan expressed condolences and sympathy to the brotherly people of Lebanon over the human losses caused by the explosion in the capital, Beirut, wishing them resilience and courage to endure the pain of this disaster. He also added that the members of the National Assembly and staff would participate in the activities of the working group established by the President of the Republic of Artsakh to organize and coordinate the material assistance to the Armenian community in Lebanon.

Moving to legislative activities, the Assembly President noted that the extraordinary session's agenda included the bills on amendments to the “Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for the Year 2020” and the “Law on the Remuneration of Public Officials,” proposed by the President of the Republic.

Before discussing the agenda items, the parliamentary leader presented a draft decision on the special procedure for the second reading of the bill amending the “Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for the Year 2020” proposed by the main committee, which stipulates that the second reading discussion of the law on amendments to the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for the year 2020, accepted in the first reading, is organized within 24 hours after its first reading. A time frame of three hours is set for submitting written proposals and the main committee's conclusions.

The parliament adopted the decision and proceeded to discuss the agenda items. Finance Minister Vahram Baghdasaryan presented the draft law on amendments to the “Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for the Year 2020,” stating that the adoption of the law is necessitated by the need to implement the President's program for 2020-2025. According to the Minister, the proposed amendments will enable the implementation of projects such as the introduction of modern irrigation systems, partial subsidies on electricity tariffs for residents in communities without gas supply, an increase in the salaries of health sector workers starting September 1, and the establishment of free higher and vocational education, among others. As a result of the proposed changes, the revenues of the 2020 state budget will amount to 126 billion 49 million 399.2 thousand drams (an increase of 5.100 billion drams), while expenditures will reach 135 billion 650 million 717.7 thousand drams (an increase of 14.810 billion), resulting in a deficit of 9 billion 601 million 318.5 thousand drams, which will be financed through borrowed funds.

The deputies posed questions to the Finance Minister regarding the substantive provisions of the budget. The head of the permanent commission on financial, budgetary, and economic management issues, Arthur Harutyunyan, presented the commission's positive conclusion on the draft. A discussion ensued, during which speeches were delivered by Deputy Assembly President Gagik Bagunts, deputies Davit Melkumyan, Davit Ishkhanian, Arthur Harutyunyan, and Eduard Aghabekyan. The final address was given by the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Arayik Harutyunyan. The president addressed the issues raised and expressed readiness to organize discussions with the deputies on some provisions of the budget in the near future.

Summarizing his speech, the President also spoke about his proposal to move the seat of the National Assembly to the city of Shushi during the oath-taking ceremony, noting that the proposal is intended to be discussed and implemented by 2022. Arayik Harutyunyan also deemed it possible to consider the likelihood of moving the presidential residence to Shushi.

After the President's speech, the draft law on amendments to the “Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for the Year 2020” was put to a vote. The bill was adopted in the first reading with a vote of 26 in favor and 6 against.

Next, the Finance Minister presented the draft law on amendments to the “Law on the Remuneration of Public Officials.” According to the author, the adoption of the law is necessitated by the need to establish new coefficients for calculating official salary rates for persons holding public positions in newly created state management bodies, in accordance with the structure of the Republic of Artsakh government established by the presidential decree of May 26, 2020. The draft proposes new coefficients for calculating official salary rates for senior officials in the Commission for Regulating Public Services and Economic Competition, linked to an increase in coefficients for senior officials in similar commissions in Armenia since September 2019.

The permanent commission on financial, budgetary, and economic management issues gave a positive conclusion on the draft. During the exchange of ideas, Deputy Gegham Stepanyan also spoke. As a result of the voting, the law was adopted with 24 votes for and 8 against.

The extraordinary session of the National Assembly will continue its work at 18:25. The parliament will discuss the “Law on Amendments to the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for the Year 2020” in the second reading.