PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE CALLS ON ARMENIA TO MAKE FREE ELECTIONS AND
MASS MEDIA RELATED REFORMS

PARIS, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. During a meeting in Paris on December
14, the PACE Monitoring Committee welcomed the constitutional reforms
in Armenia with the assistance of the Council of Europe, thanks to
which favorable conditions have been created for fulfilment of many of
the country’s obligations. Nevertheless, in its draft report the
committee warned that an improved political atmosphere and a dialog
between the ruling coalition and the opposition are necessary for the
efficient use of the Constitution. NT was informed about it from the
PACE Armenia Office. "Just making laws is not enough for implementing
democratic reforms in a country. Laws must be applied," the committee
underlined. "Now Armenia must show what progress it has made on the
path of democratization and European integration: the upcoming
elections must be in line with European standards for free and fair
elections, while the press should display pluralism and impartiality
in its coverage of the pre-election campaign and elections." The
report of George Colombier (France) and Mikko Eloy (Finland) will be
discussed at the PACE plenary sitting in January 2007.