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RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan on September 3 received 18 representatives of the Democratic Youth Community of Europe (DEMYC), who arrived in Armenia from 11 countries, The member of NA RPA faction, the Chairman of the RPA Youth Board Karen Avagyan also attended the meeting. DEMYC unites the youth wings of the parties of 60 countries. The Youth organization of the Republican Party of Armenia is the only one in the region, which is the member (from 2005) of the Democratic Youth Community of Europe (bureau member).

Welcoming the young people Hovik Abrahamyan emphasized such visits, which would give opportunity to better know Armenia and the Armenian people. Noting that the RPA youth wing, which heads the NA deputy Karen Avagyan, enjoys the support of the authorities of the republic. They and, in general, the youth of the country are rather actively involved in the political processes. RA NA Speaker considered desirable the expansion of the mutual visits and contacts, as well as more active participation of the young people in the political processes.

RA NA Speaker noted that Armenia’s aspirations and programmes were directed to the integration in the row of the European countries. In that process Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the role of the National Assembly. During the last years the relations with the European structures and parties were very activated. In response to the question addressed to him the NA Speaker said that there were young deputies in the Armenian Parliament, and noted that in 2012 next parliamentary elections they were intended to more increase the number of the young people and their invoilvement in the European structures.

The Speaker of the Parliament introduced the structure, the staff, functions, electoral system, the National Assembly, the order of the formation of the government, touched upon the regional problems.

Concerning the NK conflict RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan noted that the problem should be settled within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, through peaceful means. “We don’t want war, but if the authorities of Azerbaijan force us war, we would be ready to defend our country and the people and the NK state,” the NA Speaker announced. In his word the Nagorno Karabakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan. In the course of the meeting the sides also touched upon the Armenian-Turkish relations and the signed protocols.

RA National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan also answered the questions of the hosted young people. At the end of the meeting the head of the Democratic Youth Community of Europe organization Jani Johansson thanked for the reception and sincere talk, handing over a souvenir on their behalf to RA NA Speaker. Hovik Abrahamyan expressed willingness to support such meetings and organization of mutual visits.