We Are Ready for Any Discussion to Get the Country Out of This Situation: Marukyan

“No matter the format of the meeting, we are ready for that meeting.” This was stated by Edmon Marukyan, the head of the ‘Luysavor Hayastan’ faction of the National Assembly, in an interview with NEWS.am, commenting on the Homeland Salvation Movement's announcement regarding their acceptance of President Armen Sarkissian’s invitation for a meeting.

“Whether it’s in the National Assembly or at the presidential residence, whether it’s a live broadcast or a closed format, we are ready for any discussion without preconditions, for the sake of getting the country out of this situation,” he noted.

In response to the question whether the process would lead to a deadlock given that the Homeland Salvation Movement has announced that the Prime Minister should resign, a temporary government should be formed, and new snap parliamentary elections should be held, Marukyan replied: “I can't say if it will lead to a deadlock or not. I repeat, I am ready to participate in any discussion to get out of this situation. If a meeting occurs, we will see who says what; if it doesn’t happen, we will look for other opportunities. It’s normal, every force has its agenda; right now, Gagik Tsarukyan might have his preconditions too, and Nikol Pashinyan has his own,” added Edmon Marukyan.

It should be noted that President Armen Sarkissian had summoned Prime Minister, leaders of parliamentary factions, and leaders of the Homeland Salvation Movement for a meeting on March 13 at 12:00 PM at the presidential residence, to discuss the current situation in the country and to find mutually acceptable solutions aimed at overcoming the crisis.

The ‘My Step’ and ‘Luysavor Hayastan’ factions of the National Assembly accepted the president's invitation. However, the Prosperous Armenia Party and the Government have not yet expressed their position. The Homeland Salvation Movement has stated that they will accept the invitation if their proposed agenda is adhered to. The statement from the movement's council reads: “The Homeland Salvation Movement reaffirms its roadmap for overcoming the crisis: the resignation of the Prime Minister, the formation of a temporary government, and snap parliamentary elections. Acknowledging the urgent need to overcome the deepening crisis, we express our readiness to conduct political consultations in the specified format and with our proposed agenda. The meetings should be held in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, endowed with primary mandate, publicly, and via live broadcasts.”