Hermine Naghdalyan: It is a good habit to go on a business trip on one’s birthday (video)
Hardy had the National Assembly started its four-day sitting, when NA Vice-Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan was heard as saying to NA Speaker Galust Sahakyan, “…but it is a good habit to go on a business trip on one’s birthday.” Shortly afterwards, the legislature congratulated Republican lawmaker Karen Avagyan who is celebrating his birthday today. The lawmaker was not in the hall. Then, the National Assembly put to a vote and passed unanimously most of the bills discussed on Monday. The Armenian lawmakers continued debates on the draft amendments to the Law on State Duty. Mikael Melkumyan of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) said the bill had not been presented for public discussions. “One thing is clear: Armenia has few communities with more than 10 000 inhabitants and only 30 percent of people live in these communities. I just ask you to lift direct payments for communities,” he said. Mher Shahgeldyan of the Country of Law Party (OEK) suggested conducting hearings and discussions in order to ‘make the voice of communities audible’ to relevant bodies. “It is very important that we provide support to border communities,” he stressed. The key reporter, Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations, said the bill had been discussed with residents of some 40 communities. On December 9, it will be presented to representatives of another 100 communities. “We shall consider all proposals made by MPs,” he said. The legislature is now discussing the revised version of the 2017 state budget.
