Makunts takes over as Chief of Staff of Prime Minister’s Office as Pashinyan highlights new phase ahead

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday introduced the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, Lilit Makunts, to officials of his administration.

The Prime Minister first thanked outgoing Chief of Staff Arayik Harutyunyan, noting that over the past five years he had effectively supported and advanced the government’s priorities.

“Now, in the next phase, Ms. Makunts will be responsible for advancing these priorities. The position of Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office is one that is most directly connected with the Prime Minister’s working priorities. I believe that during this period we should continue our work while making certain adjustments to our priorities,” Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister wished Arayik Harutyunyan success in his future work as a Member of Parliament, adding that this role is very important for a public political figure.

Pashinyan recalled that Lilit Makunts had served as a Cabinet member in 2018, holding the position of Minister of Culture, after which she moved to Parliament, where she served as head of the “My Step” parliamentary faction. She later became Ambassador of Armenia to the United States and subsequently served as the Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser.

“Ms. Makunts will now lead the Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, and I am confident that both of our colleagues, as in their previous roles, will continue to make significant and visible contributions to the further development of the Republic of Armenia,” the Prime Minister said.

Arayik Harutyunyan thanked the Prime Minister for his remarks, as well as for their joint work and support.

“Throughout these years, both I personally and the staff have done everything possible to make the Prime Minister’s work easier and to advance the issues assigned to the Office. I believe we have established a very strong system within the Office, and I would like to thank our colleagues gathered here today, as each person has contributed to this work. I am confident they will ensure continuity. We have completed the transition phase, and Ms. Makunts is currently well informed about the ongoing processes. I am ready to continue providing support,” Harutyunyan said.

In turn, Lilit Makunts thanked Prime Minister Pashinyan for his trust and said she would do her utmost to meet the Prime Minister’s expectations.

“I would also like to thank Mr. Harutyunyan for setting a very high standard for his successors in this position and for the support he provided during this transitional period. I wish you all the best and further success. I am confident that, in any capacity, you will continue to play an outstanding role,” the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Makunts also expressed confidence that future cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office would be constructive and effective.

Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister said that significant work lies ahead within the framework of the broad agenda they have been pursuing.

“I define this broad agenda as the agenda of ensuring the continuity of Armenian statehood. Of course, the next five-year period opens new opportunities for us and brings new challenges. I hope we will be able to identify and seize these opportunities and manage these challenges. We are already an experienced government, and this brings both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that accumulated experience is a resource that we must be able to use. The disadvantage is that turning this work into a routine may create a certain sense of complacency, and we must do everything possible to avoid that. I am confident that we will be able to achieve this together, including with the support of our parliamentary partners and through continuously reviewing our work,” the Prime Minister said.