CONDITION OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN COUNTRIES OF SOUTH CAUCASIAN REGION IN FOCUS OF PACE ATTENTION

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 18, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. It will be proposed to specially discuss
the issue regarding activity of democratic institutions in Armenia
at the PACE June 23-27 summer session to be convened in Strasbourg
only in case the co-reporters come to the conclusion as a result
of the visit to Armenia on June 16-17 that the Armenian authorities
have not ensured sufficient progress in the direction of fulfilment
of PACE requirements. This was mentioned in the report placed on the
Council of Europe official website.

It should be mentioned that Resolution N 1609 adopted during the PACE
spring session stipulates that unless the requirements are fulfilled,
the reliability of Armenia as a member-state of the Council of Europe
will be questioned, therefore during the opening of the June session
PACE should consider the possibility of suspending the right of vote
of the Armenian delegation in PACE.

According to the Council of Europe report, the urgent discussion of
the issue on activity of democratic institutions in Turkey is among
the most important program provisions of the session. Turkish Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan has been invited to the discussion. According
to the initial version of the draft agenda to be approved on the day
of session’s opening, discussions of the issue regarding activity of
democratic institutions in Azerbaijan are scheduled for June 24

It should be mentioned that Armenia’s delegation will participate
in PACE’s work with a partially changed staff. Naira Zohrabian,
a member of the National Assembly Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous
Armenia) faction, and Artashes Avoyan, a member of the Orinats Yerkir
(Country of Law) faction, will leave for Strasbourg as members of the
delegation for the first time, instead of Vahe Hovhannisian and Mher
Shahgeldian, who have stopped their powers ahead of the schedule.