On May 16, Yerevan Mayor Margaryan answered journalists’ questions in front of the Yerevan Municipality, during which his supporters chanted “Taron Margaryan”, “Taron is ours”. Mayor’s supporters also had posters with the same chants.
Taron Margaryan said that during the rally he had been in another administrative district for a working visit, so he was not at the municipality: “After that, I tried to quickly listen to the dissatisfaction of the citizens and my supporters who have their demands too, I respect the remarks of the residents of Yerevan, we will consider all the issues”.
He touched upon the protesters’ invasion to the municipality: “I condemn it, it is clear that there was a violation of the law, activists invaded the municipality building and tried to disrupt the normal work of the municipality. I urge law enforcement to deal with this issue. As a local self-government body, we are independent, we carry out our work and we will not tolerate such illegalities”, said Mayor.
Speaking of the fuss over the park’s improvement, Taron Margaryan added: “Ten years ago, the park was rented, and we are grateful that the former tenant took it back and the Vardanyans’ family carries out improvement works… the park will be donated to Yerevan on its 2800th anniversary. The Vardanyans’ family promised that there will be no cafés or a commercial sector, the park belongs to the community, to Yerevan. As for tree cutting, there were some, but there are professional conclusions that green space will be enlarged, more trees will be planted”.
About the demand for his resignation Taron Margaryan said: “It is unacceptable all over the world for a new political force to try to suppress the local self-governing bodies, elected bodies, after coming to power”.
Gohar HAKOBYAN
