PACE ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON ARMENIA
Azeri Press Agency
April 17 2008
Azerbaijan
Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubayli-APA. Resolution #11579 on the "state of
democratic institutions in Armenia" has been adopted at the plenary
session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
APA’s Europe bureau reports that 93 parliamentarians voted for the
draft resolution prepared by parliamentarians Georges Colombier
(France) and John Prescott (Great Britain). During the extraordinary
discussions John Prescott underlined some points in Armenia what he
called positive.
"For example, holding referendum on the country’s Constitution. But
we have always said that such positive steps are not enough. Not all
the recommendations are fulfilled by Armenia, that’s why there is a
need to hold such extraordinary discussions. There is no confidence in
democratic institutions in Armenia and their activity is approached
with doubt. The cause of people’s demonstration after the elections
was distrust. 10 were killed over hundred including 3 parliamentarians
were arrested during tragic events. Presidential candidate Levon
Ter-Petrosyan was under house arrest. We should learn what happened
in the country, there is a need to carry out a special independent
investigation in order to clarify the situation. Such an investigation
can strengthen people’s confidence in these institutions. The Council
of Europe and generally the international community may help this
investigation on the level of special monitoring. I think if the
situation goes on like this, it will damage the image of Armenia as
the member of the Council of Europe", he said.
John Prescott said the draft resolution contained some recommendations
to Armenia.
"Our short and concrete recommendation to Armenia is: if there
is no positive reaction to our proposals, we will take all this
into consideration by the next session. It is important to reach a
consensus on freezing Armenia’s rights in the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe", he said.
French MP Georges Colombier said that the confidence of Armenia as
member of the Council of Europe was doubtful.
"If Armenia does not fulfill the requirements and recommendations
in the resolution and there is no improvement, the committee should
consider the issue on freezing the voting rights of the Armenian
delegation in June session", he said.
Following the discussions the resolution was adopted. Members of
Azerbaijani delegation top PACE Samad Seyidov and Gultakin Hajiyeva
also made speeches during the discussions.