CHAIR OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS CALLED ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM
Pan Armenian
10.10.2005 17:49 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Diogo Freitas do Amaral, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Portugal and Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee
of Ministers, made the following statement: “After several months of
intense debate, Armenia’s National Assembly has just adopted a number
of constitutional amendments, in line with the country’s commitment
undertaken when joining the Council of Europe. The referendum to be
held on 27 November on this reform will be vital for Armenia. By
turning out to vote during the referendum, the people of Armenia
will indeed be deciding on changes of fundamental importance for
their future. The expertise of the constitutional amendments by the
Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has shown that the reform will
allow the alignment of the Constitution with European standards by
enhancing the independence of the judiciary, providing a more balanced
distribution of power between the executive and the legislative
branches, as well as promoting local democracy and freedom of the
media. I appeal to the sense of responsibility and concern for the
common good of Armenia’s political parties, beyond their differences,
in order to support this reform, which is essential to the country’s
future as a democracy. By participating in the referendum and showing
their attachment to the values of freedom and democracy, the people
of Armenia will show their desire to see Armenia fully assume its
part in the European construction.”