NA vice-speaker addresses OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

07.07.2005 16:17

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – National Assembly Vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannisian,
who leads the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly,
addressed on July 4 the Assembly session held in Washington, D.C.

Below is the text of Hovhannisian’s address.

Dear Colleagues,

I would like, today, to briefly update the Assembly on the key
elements of the current political situation and recent developments in
Armenia and the South Caucasus region.

But first, I would like to note that this April all Armenians
commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated
by the rulers of Ottoman Turkey starting in 1915. I think it would not
be an exaggeration to say that most of the current in our region stem
from those tragic events.

So, on this occasion, the Armenian delegation would like to express
our deep gratitude to the people and parliaments of the OSCE member
countries that, having found the courage not to remain silent, have
adopted the resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide. These
countries include Cyprus, Canada, Russia, Greece, Belgium, Sweden,
France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Netherlands, Poland, and
Germany.

Their actions represent vital steps toward urging all governments and
parliaments to be alert to the threats of new genocides and vigilant
in taking practical steps to preventing any possible further attempts
of genocide in any part of the world. This is especially important
today in light of our neighbor Turkey’s efforts to secure EU
membership even as it imposes a one-sided blockade on the Republic of
Armenia and refuses to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia.

Dear colleagues, two weeks ago the people of Nagorno Karabakh Republic
held parliamentary elections for the fourth time since establishing
independence in 1991. As many international observers stated in their
reports, the elections were conducted freely and in transparent
manner.

I want to thank the independent observers from many countries, who
have done so much important work in the place of international
organizations such as our distinguished Assembly, for their excellent
efforts in monitoring these elections and their fair and unbiased
attitude. Their reports clearly show that Nagorno Karabakh cannot be
considered a “lawless zone.” Some of Nagorno Karabakh’s neighbors can
learn a great deal from its example of holding democratic elections.

Dear colleagues, we witnessed the adoption of resolutions on Abkhazia
and Moldova. We see how much heated discussions they generated. But
they have one important thing in common: both Georgian and Moldavian
authorities in their sincere desire to settle these conflicts have
been directly negotiating – and are prepared to do so in the future –
with the authorities of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestria. As
such, we do not see a reason why the Azerbaijani authorities cannot do
the same and try to restore their contacts with elected authorities of
the Nagorno Karabakh, as was proposed by Mr. Lennmarker in his report.

I would like to use this opportunity to join our distinguished
President in commending the outstanding job done by his Special
Representative G. Lennmarker, whose ideas on the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict may provide the basis for future cooperation between the
Parliaments of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Finally, I would like to note that earlier this year the Armenian
Parliament revised the Electoral Code in accordance with European
standards, a move which was welcomed by the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe.

The political parties in Armenia have, at last, reached an agreement
about constitutional changes and amendments in accordance with the
recommendations of the Venice Commission. This accomplishment, I am
glad to report, fulfills our obligations to the Council of Europe.