The 17 deputies elected from the opposition Artarutiun bloc and the nine from the opposition National Unity Party (AMK) failed on 12 June to attend the opening session of the parliament elected on 25 May, RFE/RL\'s Yerevan bureau reported. Majority leaders expressed regret at the opposition deputies\' absence and said they hope it will not be permanent. Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, whose Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) is the single largest faction with 40 seats, told journalists he believes there will be future \"opportunities for cooperation\" with Artarutitiun and the AMK, with whose chairman, Artashes Geghamian, he said he recently held a \"constructive\" meeting. The deputies voted formally to confirm the nomination of Orinats Yerkir (Law-Based State) party Chairman Artur Baghdasarian as speaker and of Tigran Torosian (HHK)) and Vahan Hovannisian (Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun [HHD]) as deputy speakers. (RFE/RL)