On December 25 the National Assembly continued with the procedure of the second reading the debate of the RA Draft Law on Local Self-Government and Territorial Administration in the City of Yerevan, which began the previous day.

Before passing to the debate in the second reading several articles were presented for the MPs’ debate in the first reading, and the MPs directed their questions on them to Mr Davit Harutyunyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, later they expressed their views.

Mr Davit Harutyunyan, Chairman of the Head Committee, touched upon the criticism sounded in the articles being debated in the first reading. Considering ungrounded numerous remarks, Mr Davit Harutyunyan noted in the Armenian reality the availability of the institute being enshrined for the first time, i.e. the idea of creating the inquiry committee by the request of the opposition. According to him, this is a progressive approach, as the committee, the chairman of which the opposition can propose, will touch upon the most important issues of the capital. In his opinion the amendments are progressive and good.

Mr Vache Terteryan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration, the main speaker touched upon the sounded remarks and made clarifications, noting that the amendments, which improved the draft law and complied with European standards.

Heritage, Country of Law, ARF and RPA factions presented their positions on the draft law.

Head of Heritage Faction Mr Armen Martirosyan said that the faction would vote against the draft law, some provisions of which concern the faction.

Highlighting the draft law, Mr Artsruni Aghajanyan, presenting the view of Country of Law Faction, welcomed the recommitments and said that the position of the faction was positive and they would vote for it.

Mr Artyush Shahbazyan presented the opinion of the ARF faction, noting that the faction had reservations on some provisions and presented remarks, which were not completely adopted. Despite this circumstance Mr Shahbazyan said that the faction is for voting the presented version, as it is very important and rather elaborated.

Mr Davit Harutyunyan presented the endorsement of the RPA faction. He touched upon the enshrined innovations, considering them new cornerstones, which will be expedient for the development of the country and self-government. Enumerating the amendments, which were made, Mr Harutyunyan said that the faction would vote the presented draft law.

In his concluding speech the main reporter Mr Vache Terteryan clarified the remarks, which were adopted or rejected. He expressed gratitude for the concerned debate and would touch upon also the proposals made on the draft law later.

Afterwards the MPs touched upon the debate of the draft laws of the social sphere presented by the government in the first reading.

Mr Armen Hambardzumyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, presented in the procedure of the first reading On Amending the RA Law On Mandatory Social Insurance From the Cases of Temporary Disability and RA Draft Law on Making Amendments and Addenda to the RA Law on State Pensions enclosed with the package envisaging legislative amendments.

Mr Hakob Hakobyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee, endorsed on legislative initiatives.

RA Minister of Urban Development Mr Vardan Vardanyan presented for the MPs’ debate with the procedure in the first reading the package of the draft laws On Amending the RA Law on Licensing and conditioned by it On Amending the RA Law on State Duty. Mr Vardan Ayvazyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on this draft law presented the committee’s endorsement.

Later RoA Deputy Minister of Justice Mr Gevorg Malkhasyan proposed for debate in the first reading the package On Amending RA Civil Code and the enclosed legislative initiatives.

Mr Davit Harutyunyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, presented the endorsement of the committee.

RA Minister of Justice Mr Gevorg Danielyan presented for debate in the second reading the package On Making Addenda in RA Civil Code and the enclosed legislative initiatives, noting that proposals had been received. The conclusion of the head committee on this issue was positive.

In the morning sitting the parliament passed all the draft laws debated the previous day by voting. The MPs will continue the work of the extraordinary session.