July 5 marks Constitution Day in Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia celebrates the Constitution Day on July 5.

On July 5, 1995 the citizens of the republic voted for the adoption of the Constitution of independent Armenia, thus expressing their will to live in a free and democratic state, where power is vested in its citizens, who exercise it directly through the election of government representatives.

Decisions related to changes in constitutional status or to an alteration of borders are subject to a vote of the citizens of Armenia exercised in a referendum. There are 117 articles in the 1995 constitution. On November 27, 2005, a nationwide constitutional referendum was held, with an amended constitution adopted.

According to the November 2005 Constitution, the President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister based on the distribution of the seats in the National Assembly and consultations with the parliamentary factions. The President also appoints (or dismisses from office) the members of the Government upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

President Serzh Srgsyan issued a congratulatory message on the Constitution Day, stating, “the basic law reflects the path our people have chosen to build a free and democratic society, a social and legal state. A huge amount of work has been done since the independence: we have matured as a society and have grown stronger as a state.

Our country’s political life experienced several crises, but even in those situations the Constitution displayed its viability and revealed its potential for responding to challenges.

During this time we have felt the need for carrying out systemic changes in our country which can’t be complete and comprehensive without new constitutional amendments. At present, the new proposals for constitutional amendments are being actively discussed by specialists, as well as by interested individuals and organizations.

I once again congratulate you on the occasion of this important state holiday. I wish us all to follow the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia piously and I hope it will unflinchingly serve the purposes of a civilized mode of living and development.”