The Creation of the Atmosphere of Mutual Trust Highlighted in the Country

National Assembly of RA (press release), Armenia
Aug 20 2005

On August 19 RA NA President Artur Baghdasaryan met PACE President
Rene van der Linden. The Parliament President highlighted the PACE
President’s visit to Armenia just during this period, when the
parliament is going to discuss the constitutional reforms at its
extraordinary sitting to fulfill the undertaken commitments in PACE and
the signed memorandum. Mr. Rene van der Linden thinks that the adoption
of the constitutional reforms is an experience for Armenia, for the
success of which the authorities and the opposition are responsible
because the Constitution is not for one day and the current power,
but also for the whole state and people. For the success of the
referendum of the Constitution Mr. Rene van der Linden highlighted
the comprehensive campaigning and gaining the people’s confidence and
faith, noting that PACE attaches importance to the cooperation of the
political parties in the vital issues for the country, the existence
of independent mass media, specifying the electoral rolls and the
punishment of those who committed rigging at the previous elections.

RA NA President Artur Baghdasaryan noted that a national register is
being created in order to make the electoral rolls more accurate,
and the necessary legislative are undertaken for holding election
in line with democratic standards. It was noted that discussions on
constitutional reforms will continue with NGOs and political forces.
The participation of the whole society in deciding the fate of the
Basic Law of the country was highlighted, as well as the creation of
the atmosphere of mutual trust, which will enable to get orientated
correctly. The constitutional reforms will give new opportunities
for the development of democracy. Both sides underlined that the
adoption of the constitutional reforms is of great significance for
the development of Armenia as a state and for the strengthening of
the possibilities of progress and authority.