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On January 16, the RA National Assembly continued the debates on the candidates of the Standing Committees’ Chairs.

The deputies Arman Babajanyan, Hovhannes Igityan, Arman Abovyan, Narek Mkrtchyan, Edmon Marukyan, Shirak Torosyan and Hayk Konjoryan delivered speeches on the candidacy of the candidate of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Ruben Rubinyan, as well as the priorities of the foreign policy of the state, omissions, the problems related to the appointments of the RA Ambassadors and Consulates made previously, the improvement of the work of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the parliament, the importance of the parliamentary diplomacy and expediency of its development.

The deputies Hayk Konjoryan, Shirak Torosyan and Narek Mkrtchyan touched upon the candidate’s professional capabilities and highlighted his nomination.

Gevorg Petrosyan gave a speech on behalf of the RA NA Prosperous Armenia. He emphasized the importance of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and reflected upon some deputies' speeches.

The Member of the NA My Step Faction Arusyak Julhakyan voiced the biography and activity of the candidate of the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sport.

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan presented his vision in relation with the organization of the Committee's work. In the effective implementation of the reforms in the sphere of education the candidate underlined the role of the parliament, particularly, the Committee and talked about the most important components of pursuing of policy with the Diaspora. Mkhitar Hayrapetyan referred to the legislative reforms of the spheres in education, science, culture and sport, underscoring that the Committee would be actively involved in those works. In this context he highlighted the role of the parliamentary hearings, especially in debating the issues of public interest in the abovementioned spheres.

The MPs Tigran Urikhanyan, Gevorg Petrosyan, Gevorg Papoyan, Hovik Aghazaryan, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Sofya Hovsepyan and Shirak Torosyan reflected on the problems concerning the science, education, culture and Diaspora. In their speeches they talked about the implementation of the new programmes for the students being not payable, but with high adavancement, Armenia-Diaspora close cooperation and underscored the importance of the work of the Ambassadors representing Armenia. He touched upon the representation of the national minorities in all spheres, the problems of protection of rights, expressed concern on holding of the competitions of the school directors, emphasized the use of the oversight mechanisms in the educational system, as well as considered urgent the elaboration of the expedient programme policy of the TV air. The MPs appraised Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.

On behalf of the RA NA My Step Faction Sona Ghazaryan presented Arman Yeghoyan's candidacy in the post of the Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on European Integration, talking about his biographical and professional activity.

In his speech Arman Yeghoyan expressed gratitude to My Step Faction for nominating his candidacy in such responsible position. The candidate touched upon the format of the authorities reserved to the Committee. With regards to relations with the EU, he emphasized the role of the parliamentary diplomacy and in this context the close cooperation of the Committee with the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations in further ratification of the RA-EU Agreement in the EU countries, the use of the provisions designed by the Agreement in our country and the approximation of the RA legislation with the EU legislation. He attached importance to the active cooperation of the Committee with the Inter-Departmental Committee coordinating the events of Armenia-EU Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation, Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, providing the use of the RA-EU Agreement, as well as the coordinated work with the Government.

In intensifying the RA-EU Agreement ratification process he underscored the effective use of the Diaspora experts' potential and the lobbying work. The candidate also evaluated the availability of the professional experts.

In their speeches the RA NA deputies Suren Grigoryan, Sos Avetisyan and Viktor Yengibaryan reflected on calling into life the provisions of the RA-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, the implementation of the reforms conditioned by it, the effective use of the Diaspora potential in the effective implementation of the process, etc.

In his speech the Head of the NA Bright Armenia Faction Edmon Marukyan talked about the necessity of activating the RA-EU Agreement in the European countries. In his opinion, the Committee should be an initiator in involving the civil society in the Agreement use process. Edmon Marukyan underlined that they, as an opposition, would follow the structures advancing the process to fully function.

The member of the PAP Faction Sergey Bagratyan presented Naira Zohrabyan's candidacy and biographical data in the post of the Chair of Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs.

Regarding the Committee's functions and authorities, Naira Zohrabyan noted that she would use two resolutions in her work: “You should know that right for protecting your right” and “Equal Rights to Everybody, Special Privileges to Nobody.” According to the candidate, she has already received about 650 applications and letters from the detained, sentenced persons to death, orphanages and psychiatric hospitals.

To Naira Zohrabyan's conviction, one of the most important working directions of the Committee will be the cooperation with the NGOs. She talked about the issues of the employees' protection of rights and emphasized the close cooperation with the office of the Human Rights Defender.

The National Assembly will continue the work on January 17, at 10:00.