Yesterday President Serzh Sargsyan invited a group of prominent intellectuals and public figures to the presidential residence for a discussion on formation of Public Chamber. During that meeting he said, ““I have said many a time and it is my conviction that we have to combine all available public resources so that we are able to direct them for resolution of our country’s urgent problems. I think no one of you questions the fact that there are still many such problems. I believe frankly that we can combine our efforts, I believe frankly that all nations face this problem, because no party and no individual can win 100 percent of any election. Naturally, there are political forces and individuals, who are in the first place discontent and secondly, they do not emphasize the need to join others for resolution of the country’s problems. In this sense I think the assertion that we have parliament for this and there is no need for Public Chamber is not right. I think we should be able to give the society, the people, individuals, in formal and informal formats, opportunities to participate in discussions on their issues of concerns, to take part in processes which are necessary to move the country ahead.” The presidential press office said the participants of the meeting presented their observations and ideas regarding the Public Chamber’s creation. “They welcomed the president’s initiative considering the Public Chamber as mechanisms for open and constructive dialogue, for taking the society’s concerns to the highest leadership of the country. The present were unanimous that the Public Chamber should incorporate representatives of broad segments of the society, that it should become a place to generate new ideas, a rostrum for revealing different opinions, a place for discussion of issues of concern and suggesting solutions,” reads the statements.
