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Dear compatriots,

Dear deputies of the sixth convocation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, employees of the National Assembly,

The parliament begins the suspension process of its authorities by the force of law after Prime Minister’s resignation and twice not being elected Prime Minister. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the current parliament will function until the first sitting of the National Assembly of the seventh convocation.

It is obvious that the deputies of the sixth convocation of the National Assembly distinguished with their rationality and tolerance. It was the result of our colleagues’ high professionalism, political will and wisdom. The last one and a half year was quite enough to be convinced that our MPs have their own features and in any problem they defend their political position till the end. But in different moments, which were not few in the past months, often leaving aside the party interests and viewpoints, all of them gathered on the idea of preservation of stability in Armenia and in Artsakh and did not take the country to new shocks.

So, I thank all deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia for showing such high conscience. And at the same time, I express my gratitude especially to the deputies, who regardless of their realities in this every day changing times did not betray their principles and while making decisions were led by the dictate of their conscience and inner convictions. And due to that during these months the most important thing was kept – the predictability of the inner and external processes, which allowed the country, the people and the army refraining from great ordeals.

Dear friends,

Assuming the office of the President of the parliament since spring 2017 I also have undertaken the improvement of the National Assembly structure in parallel with the legislative work.

Of course, I regret that we did not manage to implement all our programmes. And we already see the results what have been done and I get convinced that the decisions made were right and appropriate. In particular, the simplification of the Institute of the National Assembly President’s Advisers let working directly with different subdivisions of the National Assembly Staff and reveal and develop their professional great opportunities. And today, taking the advantage I express my gratitude to the whole Staff of the National Assembly for the conscientious and professional work.

At the same time, I also thank the press and all the journalists accredited in parliament. During this period they implemented unbiased and operative coverage of our works at high level and moreover, often indicated different problems demanding urgent solution and have become as our assistants and counselors.

And in the framework of the structural reforms the greatest programme was the initiative of the creation of the Analytical Centre of the National Assembly. Our aim was to have the provision of monitoring the efficiency of the adopted laws, a body implementing the analysis and assessment, and presenting substantiated recommendations on the possibility of using the international legislative experience and traditions in any sphere, too. I am hopeful that the future parliament and its leadership will be consistent to finally call on this almost complete initiative.

Dear deputies,

Dear compatriots,

Ending my word I say simply and sincerely: the companion of my life has always been the responsibility. I had that when I was simply a doctor, Head of a Medical Centre, Minister of Health Care and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly for ten years, my faithful friend - the responsibility was again with me and was controlling me.

And as President of the Armenian Parliament, my responsibility was more underlined.

So, when the logic of the development of the political processes was already clear, from the first glance the most correct and perceivable step as a representative of the biggest political force represented in the parliament was my resignation.

But instead, I have again been led by the same responsibility, as I have thought that my resignation could cause relevant difficulties.

By the way, every faction of the National Assembly had a right of expressing distrust to me. I thank all the factions for the trust shown to me, which doubled my responsibility.

Dear friends,

I don’t hide that I am leaving with regret and concern, thinking that whether the intentions that I have begun – legislative initiatives, international cooperation, parliamentary diplomacy, structural reforms, etc. will be reached to an end. Let us hope that everything will be fine.

I wish the parliament of the seventh convocation of the Republic of Armenia law-making effective work and the most important thing – responsibility.