Vazgen Manukyan, Chairman of the Public Council of Armenia, has resigned.

He issued a respective statement saying as follows, in particular:

“The new authorities [of Armenia] had a unique opportunity to lead our country in the direction of development.

Unfortunately, the authorities went in a different direction.

The aim of the government should have been to alleviate the cracks in society (...). One of the most effective tools to accomplish this goal would be the Public Council itself.

Instead, the authorities continue to discuss projects and take steps that will further divide our society.

In these circumstances, I consider my further work in the Public Council meaningless and am leaving the council, about which I have already informed the Government in writing.

I will continue to fight for the interests of our state and our people.”