MEETINGS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IN STRASBOURG
National Assembly of RA
May 23 2008
Armenia
The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Mr Tigran Torosyan, being in Strasbourg within the framework of the
European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments, on May 22 met with
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Terry Davis.
Touching upon the events, which took place in Armenia at the beginning
of March, the NA President noted that they had a shocking influence on
all of us. From 1988 there have been numerous assemblies in Armenia,
but none of them had such outcome. The people’s discontent from
social situation could not be a reason for tragic events because
during the recent years it had been gradually improved, and from
January the pensions had been raised by 60%, the salaries had been
considerably increased.
The approach that the police applied force towards the peaceful
demonstrators was primitive. The shootings testify that there were not
only peaceful demonstrators, but also people armed with metallic rods
and "Molotov cocktails," grenades were used, shops were burgled and
destroyed up to a kilometer away from where the demonstrators were
assembled. The NA President highlighted the creation of the Ad-hoc
Committee of the National Assembly at the beginning of June, according
to the PACE 1609 resolution, and the studies to which should give
answers to other questions. The NA President said that in the National
Assembly a working group had already been set up in order to improve
the electoral process, as well as work was underway for the improvement
of the law On Radio and Television in order to define the procedure of
the election of the committee members of the national committee. It
was also noted that the draft law On Making Meetings, Assemblies,
Rallies and Demonstrations, which enjoyed the approval of the Venice
Commission, had been adopted in the first reading. And at the four-day
sittings in June the draft law would be adopted in the second reading,
being fully complied it with European standards. Touching upon the
PACE 1601 resolution, the NA President noted that the authorities
of the opposition had already been provided with the content of 21
clauses from 27 abovementioned. The 3-4 clauses would be created by the
amendment of the NA Rules of Procedure. Regarding the detained persons
the NA President noted that the following approach had been adopted:
everybody should be punished unreservedly, and nobody should be
persecuted for the expression of his/her political views or position.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Terry Davis thanked
for the support and full information given to Ms Boer-Buquicchio
during her visit to Armenia. The CE Secretary General agreed that
those who committed grievous crime should be certainly punished, and
nobody should be persecuted for his/her political views. Mr Davis
welcomed the creation of the committee for the study of the March
events and at the same time noted that the committee could not become
the only responsible body regarding the disclosure of the reasons of
what happened. In particular, the investigation of the case by the
law enforcement bodies is very important, as well as disclosing the
reasons of the death of every victim and punishing those guilty. Mr
Davis also welcomed the other steps undertaken for the fulfillment
of the 1609 resolution.
Mr Tigran Torosyan also met with the President of the House of
Representatives of Cyprus Mr Marios Garoyian. The NA President
congratulated him on the occasion of his election to high post and
expressed confidence that the friendly and effective relations of
the two countries and parliaments had very good prospects of further
development. The NA President noted that besides the issues of
bilateral interest the Cyprus’ membership of the European Union had
opened new prospects for expanding cooperation. Moreover, that the
European integration is the priority of the foreign policy. In that
aspect, the study of the Cypriot experience was highlighted. Within the
framework of deepening the inter-parliamentary relations Mr Torosyan
invited his colleague from Cyprus to Armenia on an official visit.
The President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Mr Marios
Garoyian expressed confidence that the constructive dialogue between
two countries would deepen. In his assessment, the two countries
have common concerns and interests. Mentioning about his Armenian
roots Mr Garoyian noted that they would assist to the development of
the relations.
At the meeting the sides also touched upon the cooperation in
international structures. The issue of the possibility of the
inter-party cooperation was also discussed. Accepting the invitation
of the NA President to visit Armenia Mr Garoyian noted that they would
gladly expect the President of the parliament of the friendly country.
During the meeting other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.