Social and housing needs of people displaced from Karabakh must be above political speculation, says ruling party MP

Discussions on the social and housing needs of people displaced from Karabakh should focus on finding solutions rather than viewing the issue through a political lens, Armenian Parliament’s Committee on Labor and Welfare Chair MP Nazeli Baghdasaryan (Civil Contract) said when asked why opposition MPs were not in attendance at a meeting organized by the Civil Contract faction.

Speaking to journalists, Baghdasaryan stressed that she did not want to view the issue through a political lens.

“I do not want to view this issue through any political lens, because the social problems and housing needs of displaced people should be above any political speculation,” she said.

Baghdasaryan explained that the meeting had been organized at the initiative of the ruling Civil Contract faction. According to her, a letter concerning the organization of a discussion had been sent to all three parliamentary factions, and each had the opportunity to organize such a meeting.

She added that the list of participants had been discussed in advance with the meeting’s organizers. The meeting was organized based on the list they submitted, while the Civil Contract faction arranged for government representatives to attend.

According to Baghdasaryan, some of the issues raised were discussed during the meeting. Regarding other issues related to the social sector, Minister of Labor and Welfare Arsen Torosyan proposed holding an additional substantive discussion to examine the proposals submitted.

Addressing the absence of opposition MPs, Baghdasaryan said they could also initiate discussions, invite government representatives and ask questions. She also pointed to the opportunities provided by question-and-answer sessions with the government and written inquiries.

“The more substantive and constructive proposals are put forward, the more I think we will help the executive,” she said.