YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The new joint round table discussion of the standing committee on state and legal affairs and the OSCE Yerevan office regarding the “Rules of Procedure of Parliament” constitutional law draft. Chairman of the committee Hovhannes Sahakyan reminded that the rules of procedure-law of the Parliament has been adopted at first reading, however there are still  disputable issues around it.

“There are numerous questions from our partners, lawmakers, which are in the stage of discussion. Those are: the provision of quitting/not quitting the mandate in case the lawmaker is removed from a faction or resigns, time limitations of speeches of the MPs and the power of the investigative commission”, Sahakyan said.

Representative of the OSCE Yerevan office Barbara Davis delivered a speech during the discussion who highlighted the proposed changes in the Parliament’s rules of procedure-law, underscoring they are aimed at initiating constitutional demands.

John Bates, Emeritus Professor of Scotland’s Strathclyde Unviersity of Law presented the OSCE / ODIHR conclusion regarding the rules of procedure-law of the Parliament. He underscored the bill is a praiseworthy step in complying the legislation with the new Constitution.

“Although adopting such rules in the form of primary laws ensures some level of security, it may also create unfavorable conditions in terms of flexibility of changing the text, as well as in terms of accessibility for ordinary citizens. In these circumstances it is especially important for the rule of procedure-law to be formed in a clear and understandable way”, he said.

He added the rule of procedure-law draft is quite comprehensive, touching upon numerous issues ranging from functions of MPs, factions and committees up to procedural issues, including legislative process.