YEREVAN. – The Haykakan Zhamanak daily reporter found out that a talk between President—and ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Chairman—Serzh Sargsyan and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party Bureau representative Hrant Markarian was planned on late Monday evening at the Office of the President, according to the daily.

“Naturally, the RPA-ARF [coalition government] negotiations were on the agenda.

“We already had informed which ministries would be given to Dashnaktsutyun. Also, there was information on handing two provinces to the ARF [to have its provincial governor]. 

“Yesterday, it became apparent that aside from Armavir Province, they are discussing the option of also handing Shirak Province to Dashnaktsutyun and returning incumbent Shirak Governor Feliks Tsolakyan back to the NSS [i.e. the National Security Service], [but] this time in the status of NSS Chief.

“To remind, the term of office of [serving] NSS Chief Gorik Hakobyan expires on this February 11; that is, in 9 days,” Haykakan Zhamanak wrote.