YEREVAN. – A closed talk was held Thursday between the university students that protest against curtailing the right to military deferment in Armenia, and the headship of the National Assembly (NA).

The meeting was held between five students and NA Vice Chairman Eduard Sharmazanov. Chairman Ara Babloyan also joined them toward the middle of this talk.

The Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informed from the scene that after this meeting, “For the Development of Science [in Armenia]” initiative member told Davit Petrosyan told journalists that an agreement was reached to conduct roundtables, starting from November 22, between the representatives of science and education, government and stakeholders, to discuss this matter and offer solutions.

Until then, however, the four protesting students have agreed to end their hunger strike, and the others—not attending classes.

In Petrosyan’s words, if they succeed in proving the objectivity of their demand during these roundtable discussions, there may be some concessions that will be regulated by the norms deriving from the already adopted law.

The NA on Wednesday passed the draft law on Military Service and the Status of Military Servicemen; this bill proposes to considerably limit the right to deferment in Armenia.

Members of the aforementioned initiative were not attending classes in protest of this bill, and they demand that the current right to deferment be maintained.