President Issues Statement Regarding Proposal to Dismiss Onik Gasparyan

The President of the Republic, Armen Sarkissian, has issued a statement regarding the decision made by the President concerning the proposal to dismiss the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Onik Gasparyan.

The fact that the draft decree presented by the President has been returned with objections is being inappropriately exploited and has received an inadequate response. In this regard, it is emphasized once again that the President of the Republic carries out his functions solely through the powers stipulated by the Constitution, impartially, and makes decisions based exclusively on national and state interests.

The President does not represent the interests of any political force, is neither black nor white, and in this regard, any exploitation is unacceptable and intolerable.

The most important mission of the President as head of state is to ensure compliance with the Constitution and to use the institution of the presidency as a platform to negotiate and find solutions to the created situations in the country. The President has repeatedly offered and reaffirms his readiness to bring political forces to the negotiating table to resolve disagreements and find mutually acceptable solutions.

The President has returned the draft decree on the dismissal of the Chief of the General Staff of the RA, Lieutenant General Onik Gasparyan, with his objections, exercising his powers defined by Article 139, Part 2 of the Constitution.

It is reminded that the Constitutional Court, in its decision No. SDO 1518 dated March 31, 2020, established that the discretionary powers exercised by the President based on the Constitution (in compliance with the procedures) include the alternative authority to appoint and dismiss the high command of the armed forces and other troops.

The justifications for not accepting the President’s objections were sent to the President's Office on the evening of February 28, 2021, and were registered on the first working day following that date, March 1, 2021. The President will express his position on the draft decree within the timelines stipulated by Article 139, Part 2 of the Constitution and applicable legislation.