Nagorno-Karabakh determined to implement constitutional reforms – Vahram Balayan

Debates on constitutional reforms will soon be resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The border tensions caused a delay in the debates, Vice-Speaker of the Nagorno-Karabakh Parliament Vahram Balayan told Tert.am.

The entire government system is now dealing with security issues, which has caused a delay in the debates.

“The debates will soon be resumed. For example, debates on the draft election law were suspended and later resumed in Armenia. And we have suspended debates on constitutional reforms, but we will certainly resume them,” Mr Balayan said.

Asked whether the four-day war has not forced him into thinking that parliamentary government would cause instability in the case of belligerent countries, Mr Balayan claimed the opposite, saying:

“The concept of defense capacity is not a thing of one day. And one has to make a decision in the case of tension of attacks. It cannot be helped. Please, consider the issue in a long-term prospect. Defense capacity means years of hard work. Parliamentary government affords opportunities for larger-scale discussions, with more political forces and figured involved. Finally, it affords opportunities for mobilizing different sections of Armenian society, settling not only military, but also economic and social problems.”

Reforms do not rule out one commander.

Mr Balayan regards as unprofessional the opinion that parliamentary government is unacceptable in terms of defense.

Since the four-day war caused a suspension of drafting of the concept o constitutional reforms, Mr Balayan said that the concept of Nagorno-Karabakh’s new constitution may be submitted later than scheduled for May.