ARMENIA MUST PROVE ITS ADHERENCE TO EUROPEAN VALUES THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

ArmInfo News Agency
Oct 1 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 1. ARMINFO. ‘Europe does not force European
integration upon Armenia. It was Armenia that has proclaimed itself
a follower of western values. Thus, Armenia must prove its adherence
to these values through Constitutional reforms,’ said Head of the
Parliamentary Commission for Defense, National Security and Internal
Affairs, Vice Chairman of Orinats Yerkir party, Mher Shahgeldyan at
today’s seminar on constitutional reforms.

He noted the recent interest of Europe in the South Caucasus,
especially the inclusion of South Caucasian states in the
EU-implemented program “Wider Europe: new Neighborhood.” Despite its
traditions and culture, the Armenian people has a European mentality,
Shahgeldyan thinks. Constitutional reforms will be the first step
to bring the political structure of the country in harmony with the
people’s mentality. Each political forces must bear responsibility
for a possible failure of the draft constitutional reforms at
the referendum, Shahgeldyan said. To overcome corruption, social
polarization and other negative phenomena, it is necessary to display
a political will and consistency, Shahgeldyan thinks.