YEREVAN. - Bright Armenia, Armenian Revival and Prosperous Armenia parties on Saturday signed a memorandum of cooperation on partner governance in Vanadzor, the third largest city of Armenia.

The memorandum specifically notes that on the basis of the demand of voters, who voted for the opposition parties, as well as considering the need to address the challenges which Vanadzor faces, Bright Armenia, Armenian Revival and Prosperous Armenia parties decided to sign a memorandum of cooperation. Under this document they are obliged to:

1. To conjointly support the candidacy of Krist Marukyan, who tops the party list of Bright Armenia in the Vanadzor City Council (overall, 18 mandates), at the first session of the new City Council of Vanadzor;

2. To draw out the five-year development plan of Vanadzor on the basis of the principles of effective governance;

3. To carry out transparent and accountable governance in Vanadzor, which will ensure the proportional development of the city, exclude corruption risks, sponsorship and conflict of interests;   

4. In accordance with the memorandum the aforementioned forces are thereby proportionally included in and take up the responsibility for governing Vanadzor.

Bright Armenia and Armenian Revival will nominate a mayor and first Deputy Mayor candidates respectively, while Prosperous Armenia nominate a candidate to the post of the deputy mayor.

During the city council elections in Vanadzor, Prosperous Armenia, Bright Armenia and Armenian Revival together won 18 mandates, while the ruling Republican Party (RPA) and its ally ARF Dashnaktsutyyin got only 15.