1 / 23

On August 2, the work of first session of the RA NA Eighth Convocation began under the sounds of the RA anthem.

In accordance with the Constitutional Law of the RA NA Rules of Procedure, before the election of the Speaker of Parliament, the deputy of elder age Knyaz Hasanov moderated the NA sittings.

By the proposal of the sitting moderator the MPs honoured in one-minute silence the memory of the soldiers fallen in Artsakh 44-day war.

Knyaz Hasanov has urged the deputies to be united, tolerant, because the priority is the Armenian people’s security, the development and the strengthening of the country. “Please, let us be united, leave aside the inner disagreements and reach the fulfillment of the people’s desires and goals and the strengthening of Armenia with our strength and diplomacy.”

On the occasion of the opening of the first session of the parliament His Holiness, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and the Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed the MPs and addressed them with blessing.

On the occasion of the opening of the first session of parliament the President of the Republic of Armenia Armen Sarkissian welcomed the newly elected parliament. Congratulating the political forces and all deputies who passed into parliament, the RA President wished them success and effective work.

Knyaz Hasanov informed that as a result of the NA snap elections three political forces – the Civil Contract Party, Armenia and I Have Honor Alliance of parties - passed to parliament. The deputies’ total number is 107. Three factions: the Civil Contract, Armenia and I Have Honor factions will function in the National Assembly of the eighth convocation. It has been noted that, as a result of the NA election, the factions created by the party, alliance of the parties or political coalition member parties, party alliances received not less than 54 percent of the total number of the mandates are considered ruling, and the other factions – opposition.

Afterwards the sitting moderator presented the deputies.