Raffi Hovannisian at Liberty Square in Yerevan

YEREVAN—Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian on Tuesday responded to a letter sent by President Serzh Sarkisian expressing willingness to discuss the post-election situation in Armenia, especially points made by an earlier letter by Hovannisian proposing, among other points, “comprehensive power sharing.”

In a letter from on Monday, Sarkisian asked Hovannisian to end the hunger strike he has been holding since March 10.

“I advise you to stop your hunger strike, rest and recover for a couple of days, and we, paper and pen in hand, can start working—without shows—working seriously, accepting as basis the text—albeit very raw—that you yourself proposed,” Sarkisian said in his letter.

In response, Hovannisian refused to halt his strike, but expressed encouragement at Sarkisian’s willingness to further dialogue.

“Although, within the general context of the letter, there were questionable arguments and biased views, nevertheless, Your willingness to accept, as basis of discussion, the document I presented can be seen as progress,” said Hovannisian in his response.

“I reaffirm my readiness to meet with and to discuss solutions to national issues that are now on the table at any time and in any format at Liberty Square,” wrote Hovannisian.

“Thank you for your concern about my health, but there is no need to worry, as I am in quite good health and need no recovery, and we can hold our working meeting without delay for the sake of a new constitutional Armenia,” he added.

“If for some reason you do not consider Liberty Square as a proper venue for a meeting, feel free to again present in writing your concrete proposals based on the fundamental points of my document that were absent in your previous message,” concluded Hovannisian.