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On September 24, at the initiative of the Government an extraordinary sitting was convened.

The RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan presented the NA draft decision, according to which, it was proposed to hold the debate of the legislative initiative designing amendments and addenda to the law on the RA Administrative-Territorial Division and the enclosed other law in the second reading in the special procedure during 24 hours after its adoption in the first reading.

The parliament adopted the NA draft decision on debate special procedure of the extraordinary sitting agenda item.

Gnel Sanosyan in the first reading presented for debate the package of the bills on Making Amendments and Addenda to the law on the RA Administrative-Territorial Division and on Making Amendments and Addenda to the law on Local Self-Government. According to the rapporteur, the existing administrative territorial division often creates the most serious obstacles for the development of the communities, and they are more evident in case of the communities less than 3000 residents. “The studies show that, when the population of the community is little, then the community is not able to carry out a number of services,” Gnel Sanosyan underlined. Discussions were organized, and parliamentary hearings were held on the initiative.

As the Minister has informed, it is proposed to unite 441 communities of Armenia in 37 community associations. The goal of the enlargement is to raise the management efficient, combine the capacities and skills, promoting the development of the communities by that, and have decentralization. In supporting the newly forming communities the Minister highlighted the role of the marz administrations.

The Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture and Environment Protection Vahe Ghalumyan made a co-report. He has noted that as a result of joint work with the executive body, it has been possible to submit to parliament such an initiative, which does not almost give a reason for disagreements. The initiative was debated at the Committee and was endorsed.

As a result of voting, the initiative was adopted in the first reading.