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On March 18 the participants of the regular open lesson, which was held in the parliament were 40 young people of "Yerevan in 5 Days" of the Civil Society programme. The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan held the open lesson. Speaking about the policy of Open Doors policy and within that framework about open lessons being held during four-day sittings Mr. Abrahamyan said that the meetings with the students of the higher educational institutions would follow the meetings being held with the schoolchildren of Yerevan and marzes of the republic. “I highlight the open lessons like this, as they are held with the senior schoolchildren and students, which means to make the future generation take part in the works of the state,” the NA Speaker said and presented the functions and authorities of the higher legislative body of our country. The Speaker of the Parliament said that the National Assembly actively works with the residents, NGOs and political forces. As a result of that cooperation, the work of the parliament becomes more open and transparent. Healthy criticism is taken into account, if there are shortcomings they are certainly rectified and withdrawn.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan touched upon the Armenian-Turkish protocols and Nagorno Karabakh problem. The goal of the protocols signed in Zurich and started process is to have diplomatic relations with Turkey without preconditions and open borders. Referring to the ratification of the protocols by the two parliaments, according to NA Speaker, the Armenian Parliament will ratify them only after the Turkish Parliament ratifies it. “In Nagorno Karabakh problem our position have been repeatedly expressed,” the NA Speaker said, once more indicating three most important factors: the self-determination, security of the Karabakh people and the status of the NK. We don’t see the NK in the structure of Azerbaijan, that is unacceptable for us,” the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan concluded.

Hovik Abrahamyan also spoke about the parliamentary elections and electoral system. The NA Speaker said the participants of the open lesson and the RA Electoral Code is in the phase of reforming. A working group was formed led by the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Davit Harutyunyan. “It is important for our country to hold elections in accordance with European standards,” Mr. Abrahamyan said.

Speaking about economic crisis and the impact on our country Mr. Abrahamyan said that there was economic slowdown and inflation. In case of stabilization of economy we only can face the external challenges and the President of the Republic does his utmost to stabilize the economy. Serious steps are taken aimed at easing the crisis by elaborating the laws by parliament-government cooperation and passing and enacting them.

The questions addressed to the Speaker of the Parliament were diverse: about electoral system, activity of the Control Chamber, reforms of judicial system, schools, kindergartens functioning in the republic and other themes. The NA Speaker gave exhaustive and detailed answers. The head of the programme of Youth and Communities Actions Anna Melkonyan thanked in the name of all participants for warm reception and said that the unique opportunity of the special open lesson enabled the young people not only of the capital but also of the marzes and communities to take part in the works of the state. This is important, as tomorrow every youngster entering into the system of the state management will have a preliminary picture about the work in the state apparatus or state and civil service. The young people, who took part in the open lesson, also thanked the NA Speaker, noting that it’s one thing to see everything on TV, listen to the radio, and it’s completely different to be the direct participant of all this.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan in his turn thanked the heads and pedagogues of the programme of the Youth and Communities Actions for their devotion and big fervour working with the young people.

At the end of the meeting the NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan had his photo taken with the participants of the open lesson.