Armenian foreign minister: “We are coming to the second stage of democratization”
Regnum, Russia
May 5 2006
By present day, Armenia has become a more democratic country than it
was while joining the Council of Europe, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan has announced at a conference held to honor fifth
anniversary of the Armenian membership in the Council of Europe. By
the way, according to him, Armenia is left to do a lot to become a
fully democratic country.
As a REGNUM correspondent informs, as the minister puts it, Armenia
has fulfilled almost all its obligations taken at joining the Council
of Europe. “We are coming to the second stage of democratization. It
is a very difficult stage, as it envisages reforms that would
directly touch upon the political elite. We should show our political
will,” noted the foreign minister. “We do comprehend that democracy
is a tough way, and it cannot be established in a night. Deciding to
become a member of the Council of Europe, Armenia has chosen the way
for democratization and exact steps have been undertaken in this
direction,” Vardan Oskanyan stressed.
In his turn, Director General of Political Affairs of the Council of
Europe Jean-Louis Laurens has announced that one of Armenia’s
achievements in recent years is the way to Europe chosen by it. “It
is not so important, what steps are taken and where Armenia is on the
way to democracy; the way it chose is important,” the Council of
Europe official noted. “It is very important that Armenia holds
transparent parliamentary and presidential elections,” noted
Jean-Louis Laurens, adding that the Council of Europe and
international institutions would render assistance to Armenia in
carrying out transparent and fair elections. According to him, the
Armenian authorities have elaborated 67 draft laws in accordance with
the new Constitution and a proportion of these laws has been
introduced to the CE for analysis. It is also important for Armenia
to establish the ombudsman institution, noted Jean-Louis Laurens.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress