Numerous Deprivations Are Yet to Come, Says Artsakh President

On June 29, the final session of the 7th convocation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh was convened. According to information from the Artsakh National Assembly, the first item on the agenda was the report on the implementation of the activities program of the President of the Republic of Artsakh for 2022, its results, and the activity program for 2023.

President Arayik Harutyunyan answered numerous questions from deputies, which concerned both the report and the situation in the country, Azerbaijan's provocations, and the negotiation process.

In response to the question of the realization of Artsakh's right to self-determination, the president stated, "The possibility of exercising our right to self-determination keeps us here." He emphasized that numerous deprivations await, but if there is a common goal, all forces must unite around that purpose.

Arayik Harutyunyan spoke about divisive phenomena in the country, deeming the spread of panic-stricken sentiments unacceptable. "The struggle against such phenomena will be intensified; those who create an atmosphere of distrust must be punished," he said.

He also touched on plans to overcome the difficulties of the blockade, evaluating the government's work on overcoming the crisis as satisfactory.

Deputies Metakse Hakobyan and Davit Galstyan participated in the exchange of ideas. After a break, the session continued with a question-and-answer session with the government. 24 questions were raised by 13 deputies on issues relating to food security, access to internet connectivity, organization of crop harvesting, control of imported goods and their prices, ensuring water security, fighting against sects, and the necessity of educational reforms.

Answers were provided by State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan and heads of various departments.

Subsequently, the parliament adopted the draft law on "Legal Relations Related to the Amnesty of Penalties Applied for Various Administrative Offenses" in the second reading with 25 votes in favor.

On June 28, during the voting on the annual report on the execution of the state budget of the Republic of Artsakh for 2022 at the last session of the National Assembly, more than half of the total number of deputies did not participate in the vote, thus the decision was deemed unsuccessful. With new voting results, the decision on the "Annual Report on the Execution of the State Budget of the Republic of Artsakh for 2022" was adopted with a ratio of 16 votes in favor to 7 against.

Statements were made by deputies Artur Mosiyan, Artur Tovmasyan, and Aramais Aghabekyan. At the end of the session, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Artur Tovmasyan, announced the closure of the 7th session of the 7th convocation of the National Assembly.