The Armenian National Assembly today started consideration of two key defense bills. The new draft Law on Defense and the bill that offers reviewing the terms of military service has stirred heated debates among the society. The drafts have been put on public discussions in Armenia’s regions, parliamentary hearings have been organized. Of particular interest is the provision on determent from military service.
During its four-day sitting the National Assembly today held discussions on the draft LAW on Defense.
“The law establishes legal framework for development and implementation of new policies in the field of defense,” Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan told reporters today. He noted that “the law determines the country’s military security principles in the state-public-citizen dimention.”
The bill covers the organization of the military draft, and offers to transfer the responsibility from the General Staff to the Defense Ministry. It also clarifies the powers and responsibilities of different state bodies, and defines the mechanisms of civic control over the Armed Forces.
“In particular, the law outlines the powers of the Prime Minister in peacetime, in case of direct threat to the Republic of Armenia or an armed attack,” the Defense Minister said.
