YEREVAN. - Participation in the parliamentary work doesn’t imply mandatory presence in the National Assembly (NA), NA Deputy Speaker from Tsarukyan bloc Mikayel Melkumyan told Armenian News – NEWS.am, commenting on the absence of the leader of Tsarukyan bloc parliamentary faction Gagik Tsarukyan at NA sessions.

In fact, Tsarukyan is the most frequently absent deputy of Armenian NA. He appeared at the NA sessions of previous convocation only a couple of times and for a few minutes. He also made it to the parliament only at the inaugural session of the NA of the 6th convocation.

Asked why Tsarukyan doesn’t attend the sessions, Melkumyan noted: “You want him to be physically present at the sessions? Participation in the parliamentary work doesn’t imply mandatory presence in the National Assembly.”

The deputy also assured that Tsarukyan is aware of all the events in the NA. “He is aware of everything; he organizes the entire activity of our faction and that is normal,” Melkumyan stressed, adding that Tsarukyan doesn’t attend the NA sessions due to frequent business trips.