YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–At the September 5 meeting of the Presidential Constitution Amendment Commission–the working group presented proposals regarding the Chapter "The President of the Republic". In particular–it was proposed that Article 49 should stipulate the following: "The President of the Republic of Armenia is the head of state and guarantor of the succession of the state power". The following provision is proposed to be moved in the same article: "He (the president of Armenia) is the guarantor of the accomplishment of the Constitution–normal functioning of the legislative–executive and judicial powers–sovereignty–territorial integrity of the republic and national security".
Discussions were held around the citizenship and residence qualification for the president of Armenia: it was proposed to lower the currently stipulated ten-year citizenship and residence qualification down to five years. The submitted proposals will be elaborated at the session of the working group and submitted for approval at the September 17 meeting.
The meeting was attended by President Robert Kocharian–but reporters were not present.
According to Commission Chairman Paruir Hairikian–the president positively assessed the institution of dual citizenship–however–he said–this issue should be solved within the framework of a relevant law. Paruir Hairikian also reported the position of the president regarding the issue of government formation which is as follows: During a transition period–this issue should entirely depend on the head of the executive power in avoidance of government crisis.