EXPERIENCED OBSERVERS HAVE ARRIVED IN ARMENIA

Lragir
Jan 10 2008
Armenia

n January 9 the Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan met with
the delegation of the OSCE ODIHR observation mission for the Armenian
presidential election of February 19, 2008, led by Dr. Geert-Hinrich
Ahrens. The foreign minister of Armenia welcomed the ambassador and
emphasized the importance of the mission to the crucial Armenian
election and mentioned that it will be a real confirmation of
establishment of democracy in Armenia, the press service of the
foreign ministry reports.

Ambassador Ahrens thanked for the invitation to the OSCE/ODIHR for
observation of the election and noted that they will strive for
transparency which will add reliability and objectivity to their
activity. He said interest in Armenia was great. 28 long-term observers
will arrive in Armenia, 250 short-term observers from the OSCE members
are expected.

Ambassador Ahrens has considerable experience and has led OSCE/ODIHR
observation missions to different elections in Ukraine, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia and Serbia.