Epress.am News from Armenia
The system of territorial administration of Armenia needs reforms, ruling Republican Party MP Vahram Baghdasaryan said in an interview with Armenian Hraparak daily.
The reporter of the daily asked Baghdasaryan whether there was any truth to the rumors that after completing the community enlargement initiative, the Armenian Government plans to enlarge the country's provinces, according to which, Vayots Dzor is to be merged into Syunik province; Ararat – into Armavir; Lori – into Tavush; Aragatsotn – into Shirak.
“It is still unclear [which provinces will merge into each other], it hasn't been discussed yet. I do agree, however, that the territorial structure needs changes. Take the Russian governorates (structural subdivisions of the Russian Federation – Epress.am), they hold broad autonomy. Our administrative divisions, as such, are not endowed with special autonomy. For a small country like ours, to tell the truth, the number of provinces is rather large. Moreover, there are several models; there is the one of going back to the previous regional system, there is the model of enlargement…” Baghdasaryan said.
When asked about the timeframe during which these changes would be made, Baghdasaryan said it would become clear before the implementation of the constitutional reforms.