The cooperation negotiations between the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and ARF Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) are nearing completion, ARFD sources told ArmInfo. According to the information, the parties have come to a final agreement on two portfolios. In particular, the position of the finance minister will be given to ARFD member Artsvik Minasyan.
The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations will be reorganized into two structures again - the Ministry of Territorial Administration will be headed by ARFD member David Lokyan, while Armen Yeritsyan will remain the minister of emergency situations.
Meanwhile, the RPA is ready to yield the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to ARFD, however, the latter "is not inclined to accept such a generous gift", the source says. In this light, it is not clear yet what other ministerial portfolio will be given to ARFD. In addition, ARFD will also receive 2 governors' positions, however, the source does not specify which regional administrations those governors will head. A member of ARFD may also become the Secretary of the Armenian National Security Council.
The source refutes the media reports that Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan will shortly say good-bye to his position. "Ashotyan will keep heading the given structure confidently," the source says, adding that all these arrangements will be discussed and will most likely be approved during Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's private meeting with ARFD Bureau representative Hrant Margaryan.