Armenian students halt hunger strike, walkout in favor of discussionsNovember 15, 2017 - 17:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Member of the movement "For the development of science" Davit Petrosyan said on Wednesday, November 15 that the students are halting the hunger strike and walkout in protest of a new law on military service, RFE/RL Armenian Service reports. The parliament, by the way, approved the draft law in its second and final reading on Wednesday. Following a meeting with deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov, Petrosyan said they will continue their struggle in the form of round-table discussions. Petrosyan said they are trying to be as constructive as possible. "This is one of the best options for the time being," he added. Sharmazanov said, in turn, that they have discussed several issues: "The guys are proposing round table discussion, and we agree with them. Researchers and professors will attend those meetings, while the committee of education will hold public discussions about deferment of military service and other issues." Under the law, the Armenian citizens will be granted deferment of service only after they sign a contract with the defense ministry and commit themselves to serving in the army for a period of three years after graduation. Otherwise, they will be drafted once they turn 18. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. |