Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the President of the Republic, Vahagn Khachaturyan.
In his speech, the President of the Republic stated: “Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for our regular meeting. We solved problems after the previous session, but we should be prepared for surprises during these difficult times. In that sense, the government must continue to implement its planned programs.
Following the work of the government, I consider a significant circumstance. In other words, the government ensures the continuity of its 2021-2026 programs. I want to point out one crucial situation. You keep talking about institutional change and state institutions. Perhaps the most significant gap in our state during these 30 years was that we could not or did not want to do it due to various motives; on the contrary, even in individual cases, it was better than those reforms, which were aimed at establishing state institutions, they wouldn’t do it.
In many cases, the works carried out after 2018 aimed at forming new state institutions go forward with difficulty because it is difficult to change those bad traditions rooted in the past. At our previous meeting, we talked about constitutionality and the judicial system; you have a much better understanding and assessment of the situation. The most interested are you and the government. I am sure we will be successful there.
One more observation. Thank you personally for your approach to the earthquake and the government. I express our condolences and willingness to help our neighboring country Turkey. Also, for the treatment of our friend Syria. It was appreciated in both countries; it was especially appreciated in Syria. We could not do otherwise because the wounds of the Spitak earthquake are still fresh in our memories, and besides, there was a tragedy in our neighboring country; we could not do otherwise. I want to thank you, especially for those decisions.”
In his turn, Prime Minister Pashinyan noted. “Thank you, honorable Mr. President; I am glad to see you, and thank you for the reception. Of course, we have discussed many different issues many times. Our approach continues to be that our response to the challenges we face should be symmetrical and asymmetrical. By asymmetric, I mean the following: unfortunately, today, there are so many problems that we can constantly be put into the mode of solving the problems of this moment, this minute, today, which is necessary.
But on the other hand, it is essential to advance the agenda of long-term strategic planning and strategic reforms, starting with the education sector and continuing without exception in all industries. Our main goal is that the state and the state system continue to work efficiently, independent of individuals. In all cases, the importance and role of a person are very significant. However, still, this system must constantly push, motivate, and to a particular extent, force a person, an official, to do constructive work.
In this regard, I would like to thank you especially for supporting the government’s activities because these reforms’ agenda can only be implemented with the support of the President of the Republic. We see that support, we feel it, and it is essential.
You mentioned the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Thank you for treating the decisions you made that way because, yes, there was a colossal disaster, and to be indifferent to it all simply could not and cannot be understood in any way. Especially in the context that I also mentioned in the New Year’s address that if we want to ensure the permanence of our state, we must work to change the quality of our relations in many directions, but first of all in our region, because regardless of everything, we are here. The countries around us, our neighboring countries, are also here.
First of all, we should work on changing the quality of those relations, of course, understanding that we are not so naive as to think that it depends only on us. Of course, it does not rely on us; we remember any circumstance.
The problem is in what direction we want to direct or direct our efforts. We must discuss all these questions often. Many people know that we meet in official formats and informally. Understanding, harmony, and support from the President of the Republic are fundamental; thank you for that.”
