REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF OBLIGATIONS OF ARMENIA BEFORE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO BE DISCUSSED ON DECEMBER 13, ADOPTED IN JANUARY, 2007

Noyan Tapan
Dec 07 2006

STRASBOURG, DECEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanian, who is on a working visit in Strasbourg, had meetings
on December 6 with Terry Davis, the Secretary General of the Council
of Europe, Mateo Sorinas, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe and members of the group (Ago’s
Group) observing implementation of obligations of Armenia of the
Council of Europe Ministers’ Committee. As Noyan Tapan was informed
by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, during
the meeting with the Council of Europe Secretary General, Minister
Oskanian discussed organization of the parliamentary elections in
Armenia and holding of elections corresponding to the international
standards as well as issues of implementation of the obligations of
Armenia after the reforms. The Council of Europe Secretary General
expressed a hope that the authorities of Armenia will be able to
implement the planned legislative work and drew attention to issues
of practical operation of laws. The RA Foreign Minister expressed
his satisfaction with adoption of the special Actions Plan by the
Council of Europe Ministers’ Committee to assist proper organization
and holding of elections. During the conversation the Minister informed
the Council of Europe Secretary General about the present stage of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process and the constitutional
referendum expected in Nagorno Karabakh. Then the Minister touched
upon the fact of destruction of khachkars (cross stones) in Jugha
by the Azerbaiajani authorities. He considered inadmissible planned
destruction of historic monuments in peaceful conditions, Azerbaijani
attempts to put them on the same field with monuments damaged during
the Nagorno Karabakh war actions. Issues relating to visit paid to
Nakhijevan by the Council of Europe mission on collecting facts were
discussed. Minister Oskanian’s next interlocutor was Mateo Sorinas,
the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe. During the meeting Mr.Sorinas stated that the Assembly
reporters on the issue of obligations of Armenia prepared the regular
report on implementation of obligations of Armenia the first discussion
of which at the Monitoring Commission is scheduled for December
13, and adoption is scheduled at the January, 2007, session. The
Secretary General of the Assembly stated that the reporters fixed
numerous positive movements in the process of implementation of the
obligations, particularly, as a result of the constitutional reforms,
in the spheres of strengthening balance among different branches of
the authorities of Armenia, widening of the circle of ones addressing
to the Constitutional Court, of the judicial system, widening
of the Ombudsman’s competence, liquidation of the administrative
arrest. Minister Oskanian’s meeting with members of the group (Ago’s
Group) observing implementation of the obligations of Armenia of
the Council of Europe Ministers’ Committee took place in the second
half of the day. During the meeting, at the request of the monitoring
group members, the Foreign Minister touched upon the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement, the NKR constitutional referendum, preparatory
works of the RA parliamentary elections and issues relating to the
process of implementation of the obligations. The group members drew
the Minister’s attention at the issues relating to the elections,
particularly, at the amendments of the Electoral Code and the necessity
of correcting the electoral rolls. RA Foreign Minister’s meeting
with Robert Grossman, the Strasbourg Deputy Mayor, the City Community
Council was scheduled for late the same day. The meeting was followed
by opening in the Strasbourg Mayor’s Office hall of the exhibition
entitled "State of Armenian Cultural Heritage in Nakhijevan," during
which the RA Foreign Minister was to make a speech. The exhibition
which will last till December 10, was organized under the patronage
of the Strasbourg Mayor’s Office, by the "Alsace-Armenia Friendship"
French-Armenian organization.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress