PM Pashinyan: new Armenian constitution to be adopted only by referendum

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has ruled out adopting a new constitution by any means other than a nationwide referendum.

Speaking to journalists, Pashinyan said under the current constitution, some articles can be amended through a parliamentary vote, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

He added that discussions are ongoing within his team on whether to grant parliament the authority to amend certain constitutional provisions.

Earlier, Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan made it clear that a preliminary draft of the new constitution has been prepared but still needs to be discussed within the ruling Civil Contract party.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have completed the text of a peace agreement, but Baku says it will not sign until Armenia removes claims to Azerbaijani territory from its constitution.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov