RA NA CHAIRMAN STRESSES NECESSITY OF DEEPENING ARMENIA-EU COOPERATION

YEREVAN, JULY 25, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 24,
the delegation headed by Ambassador Peter Semneby, EU Special
Representative in South Caucasus, was received by RA National Assembly
Speaker Tigran Torosian.

Appreciating the high level of Armenia-EU relations, NA Speaker
stressed the necessity to deepen the cooperation. He mentioned that
the creation of cooperation commission with the European structures
headed by the RA President is another step by Armenia confirming
that European integration is among the priorities of its foreign
policy. Tigran Torosian suggested to have a full EU representative
office in Armenia that will enable to solve the problems concerning
mutual relations more actively and operativly.

At Peter Semneby’s suggestion, NA Speaker touched upon the draft
Electoral Code and the preparation for the 2007 parliamentary
elections. It was mentioned that as a result of the discussion of
four dozens of suggestions of the Venice commission with political
forces of the parliament, they succeded in decreasing the number of
diagreements from 15 into 6-7. This creates a hope that at the end
of August, during the discussions with the participation of experts
of the Venice commission, the Electoral Code will be finally formed,
fully matched with the European standarts. For passing the elections
free, just and with democratic standarts, NA Speaker Tigran Torosian
attached importance especially to the creation of favorable atmosphere
between the pro-governmental and opposition political forces.

Ambassador Peter Semneby mentioned that a strong ground is formed
for EU-Armenia interrelations. As for the process of development of
democratic institutes, T.Torosian mentioned that consolidation of
political parties is another result of constitutional amendments,
which will enable to hold more predictable elections corresponding
to international standarts. In answer to P.Semneby’s question, NA
Speaker mentioned that the support of the European community can be
expressed in two ways: first, helping to creating favorable atmosphere,
then by the implementation of observer mission, when there will be
no attempt to use double standarts and to adjust the estimation of
elections with those in Azerbaijan.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from the NA Public Relations Department,
the issue of adoption of individual actions’ program of Armenia
was also discussed at the meeting. Peter Semneby mentioned that in
Brussels they are well informed about Armenia’s serious attitude
towards the relations with EU and the program will be approved after
some specifications.