YEREVAN. – There is no obligation upon me to have the Istanbul Convention ratified in every way. Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan on Thursday stated this at a briefing with reporters at the government of Armenia.

Also, he disagreed with a journalist’s observation that the majority of MPs are against ratifying this convention.

“Where have you seen that the majority of MPs would be against? What survey of MPs’ positions is this?” Badasyan asked. “I don't know anything. [But] I know that we are continuing the discussions.

“There is no obligation upon me to have the Istanbul Convention ratified in in every way. My appointment [as justice minister] has still been—you all know—when, since January, it’s an event envisioned by the government’s action plan that coincided after my appointment.”

And when asked whether he would resign if Armenia does not ratify the Istanbul Convention, Badasyan responded with a question: “Why should I resign?”