OSCE Observation mission to come to Armenia already this year

2007-11-30 18:18:00

ArmInfo. Observation mission of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights (ODIHR) will come to Armenia already this year, ODIHR
Director Christian Strohal said in his talk with ArmInfo correspondent.

To note, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and ODIHR Director
C. Strohal met within the frames of the OSCE Foreign Ministers’
Council.

According to C. Strohal, the meeting covered the issue on cooperation
between the institution for election processes observation and Armenia,
in particular, the experience gained during the parliamentary election
held, as well as joint efforts for preparation for the presidential
election. C. Strohal expressed readiness for comprehensive cooperation
in the preparation for the election. He said that ODIHR is ready to
render support during the coming presidential election, is ready to
help Armenia, as well as to give recommendations for sending
international observers to Armenia.

According to him, ODIHR has time enough to make a relevant decision on
sending observers to Armenia. He added that presidential election in
Armenia is only in February 2008, and for now the institute deals with
elections in other countries. C. Strohal expressed confidence that the
first visit of the OSCE observers within the long-term mission will
take place already this year, however, he didn’t specify when exactly
the observers will come and how many observers will be involved.