Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended a festive event dedicated to the Centenary of the Armenian Parliament, which was held in the courtyard of the National Assembly. In his speech, the Prime Minister stated in part:
“Honorable President of the Republic of Armenia,
Honorable National Assembly Speaker,
Honorable President of the Republic of Artsakh,
Your Holiness,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Parliament or Armenia’s parliamentarianism; this is a significant event, even though 100 years is not that much for the people that boasts several thousand years-old traditions. But these 100 years are crucial for our State awareness, since having the Parliament as the supreme legislative body means that the government has the people’s will and the people’s choice as the main driving force behind its activities.
This is the most important meaning of parliament’s existence in a country when people are the only indispensable and exceptional source of power. In this regard, we have indeed entered an important period when the people’s nominal power is transformed into a real, de facto popular power. The role of Armenian parliaments cannot be overestimated as seen from the perspective of the three republics’ history. These parliaments have had their exceptional role, especially in the history of the First Armenian Republic and, indeed, in that of the Third Republic of Armenia.
Here, it should be noted that the most important source of effectiveness and legitimacy of any parliament is the people’s will, and the Parliament should express the sentiments, intentions, dreams, the choice of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. And in this respect, it is crucial for Armenian parliaments to never face the question of reflecting the people’s choice and will.
This is a vital issue for us to synchronize our reality and the State governance system, and I am convinced that as a society, as a nation that has managed an unprecedented and exceptional political revolution in human history, we will be able to solve the problems that exist in the current agenda of internal political life within the framework of the principles and approaches voiced by the President of the National Assembly
I want to congratulate all of us on the centenary of Armenia’s parliamentary tradition and express conviction that our parliamentary tradition will continue for a long time, and we will have the third zero next to the second, and so on.
The Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Parliament must exist forever, and I concur with the emphasis that we should face our history, our mission, our activities not only for a day, a month, a year or a decade, but for many centuries ahead because what we are doing today will find its reflection in 100, 200 or 300 years.
And I am convinced that the Armenian people have enough skills, will and wisdom to put our country, our State, our Constitution and people on the rails of irreversible development, which will be the pledge of our nation’s everlasting survival.
I congratulate all of us on the Armenian Parliament’s 100th anniversary. Thank you.”
In conclusion, Nikol Pashinyan visited the newly opened museum in the building of the National Assembly where he viewed the photos on display.