ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, JUDGES DISCUSS JUDICIAL REFORMS IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 20 2007

YEREVAN, July 20. /ARKA/. At his meeting with Armenia’s judges, RA
President Robert Kocharyan addressed judicial reforms in the country.

The RA presidential press service reports that the President pointed
out that the meetings are mutually beneficial.

According to Kocharyan, the initial goal of the reforms is to form a
judicial system based on principles of impartiality, independence and
efficiency. President Kocharyan emphasized the importance of steps
to ensure independence of courts. He pointed out a completely new
status of Armenia’s Constitutional Court, which is now the country’s
supreme judicial body (except for constitutional law) and is supposed
to ensure universal application of laws throughout Armenia.

Robert Kocharyan said that this practice facilitates the formation of
clear rules and reduces corruption risks. He pointed out the importance
of the new Judicial Code of Armenia for the country’s judicial system.

The President pointed out great progress, stating that necessary work
to inform the public has not been carried out.

Kocharyan expressed wish to listen to judges’ opinions on the problems
of Armenia’s judicial system, reforms and their work. The discussion
participants emphasized the importance of raising the level of
citizens’ legal awareness. The sides pointed out that reforms are a
consistent process and always need modernization.

The President also awarded the Mkhitar Gosh medal to Judge of the
minor court of the Aragatsotn region Ruzanna Barseghyan. The Honored
Judge was conferred on Judge of the Civil Court of Cassation Slava
Sargsyan and Judge of the Economic Court Larisa Sosyan.

In conclusion, the RA President called on the judges to remember
that the status of judge is a most binding one and implies great
responsibility.