Armenian leader, Council of Europe official discuss constitutional reforms

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
19 Aug 05

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and the president of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rene van der Linden,
have discussed the progress of fulfilment Armenia’s commitments to the
Council of Europe and especially the process of constitutional reforms.

The Armenian president said he was confident that the constitutional
reforms were important for Armenia in the first place. Kocharyan said
constitutional reforms were part of his election platform back in
1998 and that they were to ensure balanced relations between different
branches of powers.

Kocharyan rated highly the assistance of the [Council of Europe]
Venice Commission and said the reforms should fully meet European
standards. A referendum [on constitutional reforms] due to be held
in November is of special importance for Armenia and the authorities
will be consistent in order to achieve success, Kocharyan said.