Formation of new Armenian govt complete
YEREVAN. Aug 19 (Interfax) - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has appointed the last member of the new government, thus completing its formation, at the proposal of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Ararat Mirzoyan, formerly the parliament speaker, has been appointed foreign minister, the presidential press service said on Thursday.
The new government was formed following the early parliamentary elections won by Pashinyan's Civil Contract party.
Earlier, the president appointed Pashinyan the prime minister and Mher Grigoryan and Suren Papikyan, former minister of territorial administration and infrastructure, deputy prime ministers.
Grigoryan also served as a deputy prime minister in the previous government.
New members of the government include Arshak Karapetyan as the defense minister, Gnel Sanosyan as the minister of territorial administration and infrastructure, Narek Mkrtchyan as the minister of labor and social affairs, Tigran Khachatryan as the finance minister, Vahagn Khachaturyan as the minister of high-tech industry, and Karen Andreasyan as the justice minister.
Former Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan has become chairman of the State Revenue Committee.
Meanwhile, Romanos Petrosyan will serve as the environment minister, Vahram Dumanyan as the minister of education, science, culture, and sports, Andranik Piloyan as the emergency situations minister, Vahan Kerobyan as the economy minister, and Anahit Avanesyan as the health minister. All of them have retained their former positions.
The Armenian government consists of a prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, and 12 ministers.