Representatives of the Government and Opposition Meet Multiple Times: 'Joqovourd'

'Joqovourd' newspaper reports that the Parliament is set to discuss the issue of depriving opposition members Ishkhan Saghatelyan and Vahe Hakobyan of their positions today. The political power, 'Civil Contract', has circulated a project stating that Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a representative of the ARF Supreme Body, is incompatible with the position of Vice Speaker of the National Assembly due to generating hate speech in public discourse.

On the other hand, Vahe Hakobyan, the leader of the 'Renaissance Armenia' party, cannot continue his duties in the parliamentary committee on economic affairs as he has not attended the parliament, organized or participated in the committee's work.

Regardless of the justifications the authorities may present, it is evident that bringing the issue of depriving opposition members of their positions onto the parliamentary agenda primarily contains political implications and exerts political pressure on the opposition. The more power under Nikol Pashinyan wields tools against the opposition factions 'Armenia' and 'I Have Honor', the deeper the rift between the government and opposition grows.

Despite this rift, representatives from both sides are still compelled to meet with one another. Interestingly, while these meetings have taken place in Yerevan, they are referred to as occurring on 'the territories of other states'.

For instance, when the opposition was organizing daily protests and Freedom Square was closed, all political representatives from Armenia gathered at the 'Dvin' hotel on June 12, invited by the Russian embassy, coinciding with Russia Day. It is here that representatives of the three parliamentary factions naturally met each other.

The three factions also met again yesterday, June 30, this time at the US Embassy in Armenia. Unlike the Russian embassy, the US Embassy hosted representatives from Armenia's social and political sectors on its green lawn.

In both instances, it was reported that high-level representatives from both the government and opposition in the Armenian political field were present. It is noteworthy that those who level the most severe criticisms at each other, both opposition members and government officials, are meeting in the 'territories' of foreign countries in Armenia. Furthermore, they maintain proportionality and do not refuse invitations, particularly from great powers like the US and Russia.

Details can be found in today's issue of the newspaper.