Opposition lawmakers demand another closed discussion on situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh
YEREVAN, April 25. /ARKA/. Opposition lawmakers in the Armenian parliament demanded another closed discussion on the situation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh to get fresh information on the situation there directly from government ministers. The first closed discussion was held in the aftermath of a large-scale military aggression against Karabakh unleashed by Azerbaijan on April 2 when first deputy defense minister David Tonoyan and deputy foreign minister Shavarsh Kocharyan took lawmakers' questions.
"We all condemn sales of Russian weapons to Azerbaijan, but most of Armenian casualties resulted from lack of communication equipment, especially night vision equipment and I think that the defense minister must give an account on how efficiently the existing resources are being used and if there is a need for additional support ," Hrant Bagratyan from the Armenian National Congress said.
Khachatur Kokobelyan from Free Democrats party expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the foreign ministry of Armenia, saying that after the four-day war, the Armenian society is getting more information on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh from the Russian side.
"I think that the Armenian ministry of foreign affairs should provide information on the negotiation process, so that we are not forced to seek information from foreign sources," said Kokobelyan.
The demand was backed by Naira Zurabyan, head of the Prosperous Armenia faction, and the secretary of the Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) faction Mher Shahgeldyan.
The head of the Heritage faction Zaruhi Postanjyan stated the need for a meeting with the representatives of Karabakh as well.
"We need to listen to their position, to discuss our shortcomings, which need to be discussed and eliminated, as the war is not over, and we must be prepared for a large-scale military operations, which is on the agenda of Azerbaijan," said Postanjyan.
But according to parliament deputy chairman Eduard Sharmazanov from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, during the first closed discussions the deputies asked 46 questions and all were answered.
"Government agencies are ready to discuss any issue, but there is a question of expediency and efficiency of such discussions, because they do not help to quickly solve our problems, "Sharmazanov said, adding that the possibility of a second discussion will be discussed with parliament speaker and government ministers.-0-
"We all condemn sales of Russian weapons to Azerbaijan, but most of Armenian casualties resulted from lack of communication equipment, especially night vision equipment and I think that the defense minister must give an account on how efficiently the existing resources are being used and if there is a need for additional support ," Hrant Bagratyan from the Armenian National Congress said.
Khachatur Kokobelyan from Free Democrats party expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the foreign ministry of Armenia, saying that after the four-day war, the Armenian society is getting more information on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh from the Russian side.
"I think that the Armenian ministry of foreign affairs should provide information on the negotiation process, so that we are not forced to seek information from foreign sources," said Kokobelyan.
The demand was backed by Naira Zurabyan, head of the Prosperous Armenia faction, and the secretary of the Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) faction Mher Shahgeldyan.
The head of the Heritage faction Zaruhi Postanjyan stated the need for a meeting with the representatives of Karabakh as well.
"We need to listen to their position, to discuss our shortcomings, which need to be discussed and eliminated, as the war is not over, and we must be prepared for a large-scale military operations, which is on the agenda of Azerbaijan," said Postanjyan.
But according to parliament deputy chairman Eduard Sharmazanov from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, during the first closed discussions the deputies asked 46 questions and all were answered.
"Government agencies are ready to discuss any issue, but there is a question of expediency and efficiency of such discussions, because they do not help to quickly solve our problems, "Sharmazanov said, adding that the possibility of a second discussion will be discussed with parliament speaker and government ministers.-0-