Levon Zurabyan: We have no illusions about intentions of these authorities (video)
Republican Hermine Naghdalyan is concerned that civil society in Armenia has refused to participate in the 4+4+4 format meetings. “Civil society is not limited to those representatives, institutions and organizations that participated in the process,” she said. The vice-speaker of the Armenian parliament is not similarly concerned by the fact that civil society does not participate in the organization of elections; she says the main job is done. “They have participated in the resolution of main issues and many of them have been resolved in this period,” she said. In fact, Hermine Naghdalyan did not know that civil society had rejected to participate in the 4+4+4 format meetings and she had no time to listen to their justifications. Unlike the Republican official, head of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, Levon Zurabyan, was informed of the refusal. “This is not a failure, because the process will continue irrespective of their participation,” he said. It was Mr. Zurabyan who insisted that civil society be involved in the 4+4+4 format negotiations over the new Electoral Code. He regrets that civil society left the opposition alone in the talks with the authorities. “But we are resolute… It will not reduce or hinder our determination.” Levon Zurabyan refrained from commenting on the reasons given by civil society. Six organizations signed a document which says, for example, that the government is not interested in the elimination of restrictions on the rights of observers and media. “We have no illusions about intentions of these authorities,” said Mr. Zurabyan. He added that the attitude of international organizations would not change after the decision of civil society. “… They have expressed their positive attitude towards this agreement." The opposition lawmaker hopes that civil society will be useful in the elections even without participating in the negotiations.
