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| 22:40:55 | 20-06-2005 | Politics | PACE SUMMER SESSION |

TIGRAN TOROSYAN NOT AGAINST CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM BE INCLUDED IN PACE AGENDA

`This morning during the meeting with PACE President René van der Linden I
said that we not against the constitutional reform issue be included into
the PACE Summer Session agenda’, Armenian National Assembly Vice Speaker,
head of the Armenian delegation to PACE Tigran Torosyan stated in
conversation with A1+ reporter.

`Representatives of the CE Monitoring Group have already visited Armenia and
collected data on the process of constitutional reform. During the visit a
joint memorandum was compiled. That time the Armenian authorities intended
to work out proposals for improving the draft in all the directions pointed
out by the Venice Commission. June 17 the proposals were submitted. June
23-24 they will be discussed in PACE. As the next PACE session will be held
in October it would be advisable if upon discussion in Strasbourg a positive
resolution is drawn up on Armenia. The CE actually highlights constitutional
reform in Armenia and wishes the reform corresponded to European standards.
In this view it would be correct if all the political forces in Armenia took
part in the process’, Tigran Torosyan said.

-How do you assess the inclusion of the constitutional reform process in the
PACE agenda?

It couldn’t be other way. I suppose it is important that the issue was not
included in the agenda in April. The inclusion of an issue without
preparation is pregnant with unpredictable consequences. Any incautious
approach or formulation can jeopardize the whole process.

– Is the issue ready for discussion today?

-I have not see the document yet. Presently the monitoring committee members
are working at it. Tomorrow at 11.30 Yerevan time it will be discussed for
the first time. After that the monitoring committee will revert to the
document when the proposals on the resolution will be presented. June 23 the
issue will be discussed at the PACE plenary session. This is the task each
members of the delegation is charged with independently of the political
force they represent.

– Do you think that the constitutional reform process in Armenia proceeds in
an appropriate political atmosphere?

-I hope that after the Strasbourg discussions we will collaborate with the
opposition the way we did last October when considering Armenia’s
commitments to the CoE. I hope that the Assembly’s calls will stimulate the
opposition to cooperation. Two things are essential. First, to have a draft
corresponding to all the standards and to achieve positive outcome during
the referendum. We should show that it is possible to conduct normal
elections in Armenia and do our best to bring our Constitution up to the
modern European standards. Otherwise Armenia will not be able to march in
step with other members of the European family.

– -Do you have such anticipation?

-I think we can do everything. It necessary to realize the complexity of the
problem and do open and fair work. With these preconditions the solution of
any problem is possible.

-Do you think these preconditions are available today?

-I suppose we have a good possibility to create such preconditions within
the shortest terms.

-How do you explain the fact that many of the coalition members refrain from
discussing the draft? Who is the author of the project’

-It is good that some deputies understand that the Constitution is a very
serious and complicated document and not each deputy is obliged to have
appropriate knowledge. The author of the draft is the coalition. Thus the
political leaders of the coalition should be responsible for the draft and
have courage to admit the weak points.