CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: ARMENIA STRIVES TO IMPROVE ITS COURT SYSTEM
Editor: Eghian Robert
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Oct 4 2007
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The delegation headed by the
chairman of the European Court of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa is in
Armenia in order to participate in the 12th international conference
on constitutional justice problems. The Armenian president Robert
Kocharian received Jean-Paul Costa on October 4, NT was informed by
the RA president’s press service.
The conference to be held on October 5-6 was organized by the RA
Constitutional Court, the Armenian ombudsman, the Venice Commission,
and by international organization "Conference of Constitutional
Control Bodies of Countries with Young Democracy".
Welcoming the holding of the conference in Yerevan, the president
said that it is taking place in a period which is important in
terms of making legal and court reforms in Armenia. In his words,
such discussions will allow Armenian experts to have a better idea
abot the development process that the judicial system is undergoing
now in line with modern requirements.
Noting that from the very beginning the reforms have aimed to form a
new court system based on principles of impartiality and independence,
R. Kocharian said: "Today we are trying to implement deeper reforms,
which will allow to ensure a higher degree of courts’ independence
and a deeper respect for human rights."
Expressing a high opinion about court and legal reforms underway
in Armenia, especially in terms of ensuring independence of courts,
Jean-Paul Costa considered these reforms as interesting and noteworthy.
According to the RA Government Press and Information Department, on
the same day the delegation headed by Jean-Paul Costa was received
by the Armenian prime minister Serge Sargsian.
The prime minister appreciated the holding of such events aimed
at human rights protection, which provide an opportunity to become
acquainted with and use experience of the countries that have passed
a long way of establishing democracy.
Jean-Paul Costa also attached special importance to the Yerevan
conference, attributing his visit to Armenia first of all to the
importance of this event. "Armenia is the first country I visit in
connection with my post. Armenia is a country which strives to improve
its court system and has started court and legal reforms aimed at
protection of human rights," he stated, adding that the European
Court of Human Rights encourages such processes.