ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS OSCE VENETIAN COMMISSION’S REPRESENTATIVES

YEREVAN, June 2. /ARKA/. Armenian Parliament Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan met OSCE Venetian Commission’s representatives on
Thursday. According to Armenian National Assembly’s Public Relations
Department, Giovanni Buchicchio said that Armenia has accomplished a
great deal in constitutional reforms area since 2000. At the same time,
he noted that principles of balanced authorities, maximally perfect
laws and democratic atmosphere are still needed for establishing a
real democracy in the country and adopting Constitution conforming
to international standards.

Baghdasaryan, in turn, attached importance to cooperation with Venetian
commission in the process of the republic’s democratization and noted
that there is considerable difference between preliminary bill and
that passed by the Parliament at the first reading. At the same time,
there are some provisions connected with independence of judicial
authorities, Yerevan mayor election and power differentiation need
to be improved, Armenian National Assembly’s Speaker said.

Agreement was reached by the end of the meeting to discuss ultimate
version of constitutional amendments with Venetian Commission in late
June and to pass the altered version at the second reading only after
that. If so, the constitutional referendum is to be held in October.

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