YEREVAN. – Members of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) have said they are carrying out orders, but the client is Armenia, and this should be kept in mind.

Head of the opposition Heritage Party National Assembly Faction, Ruben Hakobyan, told the aforesaid to reporters following Tuesday’s talks—in capital city Yerevan—with visiting members of the Venice Commission.

In his words, this commission is a mere advisory body.

“They say the political values of the given country, people, should be taken into account in any matter,” noted Hakobyan. “That is, we are the ones to decide.”

To the query on to what extent the proposed draft constitutional reform satisfies Heritage, the opposition party MP responded that Heritage’s board has not yet discussed this matter.

“[But] I can say my own view,” added Ruben Hakobyan. “We [i.e. the Heritage Party] have submitted three matters: [Making a] transition to a proportional electoral system, providing leverage to the parliamentary opposition, and holding snap elections.

“In essence, two [of these] matters are included in the [new] draft [Constitution].”