Epress.am News from Armenia
During the 2013 budget report presented in parliament today, MP Nikol Pashinyan (pictured) once again complained of Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan's absence at the National Assembly. Note, instead of Margaryan, First Deputy Yerevan Mayor Kamo Areyan presented the report in parliament.
"In Armenia, officials are divided into ranks. This is the umpteenth time that the mayor has not come to this meeting. If Taron Margaryan thinks this is an unimportant event, let us know too, [so] that we won't come — we're not any less busy," said the opposition MP.
Pashinyan asked Areyan about the fate of the controversial monument to Soviet leader Anastas Mikoyan.
"There are conflicting opinions among history experts about Mikoyan's character, but, nevertheless, the Yerevan Council of Elders gave its consent. This is the basic truth — without further comment," said Areyan.
The first deputy mayor said the decision to erect the statue has already been approved, though the sketches are not yet ready. Furthermore, it is yet unknown who will finance the project.