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Armen Sargsyan, the candidate of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) for Armenia's fourth president, is delivering remarks in the country's National Assembly at n Extraordinary Sitting, as lawmakers are set to elect the country's new president. 

Armen Sargsyan, 64, the Ambassador of Armenia to the United Kingdom and the country's former Prime Minister, was formally nominated for president of Armenia based on a signed petition from 65 MPs from RPA and coalition member ARF-Dashnaktutun. factions 

The Head of the RPA faction at the National Assembly Vahram Baghdasaryan officially introduced the candidate at the beginning of the session, saying today marks "a historic date" as under the amended Constitution the parliament is set to elect the new president for the first time. 

Armen Sargsyan, taking the floor, thanked for the great honor as a presidential candidate to speak from the high podium and address the members of the legislative body and the people, exoressing gratitude to the incumbent President Sargsyan and the ruling RPA for the high confidence shown to him.

"Once elected, I will have the opportunity to contribute to addressing the vital challenges our country faces. Apart from being a great honor, it is also a high responsibility for me, considering also the fact our country is embarking on a new phase of development, shifting to a parliamentary system of government," Sargsyan said, before outlining the key aspects of his program speech.

To note, Armenia will transfer to the parliamentary system of government in April, according to the new constitution adopted in referendum held in in 2015. According to the new constitution the president with mostly ceremonial role is going to be elected for 7 years by the National Assembly.