Constitutional reform in Armenia to promote country’s development
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 29, 2005 Monday 3:06 PM Eastern Time

YEREVAN, August 29

The reform of Armenia’s Constitution will open broad prospects
for the country’s further development, Tigran Torosyan, the deputy
speaker of the republic’s parliament, the chairman of the provisional
commission for Eurointegration, said here at the extraordinary session
of the National Assembly convened for the second reading of the draft
amendments to the Constitution.

The amendments stem from Yerevan’s obligations assumed during its
entry into the Council of Europe and aimed to balance the powers of
different branches of the republican authorities. The document was
coordinated with European experts, specifically, with the Venice
Commission of the Council of Europe, and will, possibly, be put to
referendum here in November.

The deputy speaker said the draft reform of the Constitution envisages
cardinal amendments of the procedure of dissolving parliament, and
forming the cabinet. Thus, recommending candidatures for premiership,
president is obliged to consult factions of the National Assembly to
establish the one who enjoys the support of the parliamentary majority.

Torosyan stressed the importance of the provisions related to the
formation and activity of the legal council. He said the human rights
guarantees are clearly defined.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said on TV the other day the
amendments to the Constitution are needed, above all, for the people.
At the same time, they are very important for Armenia’s European
integration, he said.