ARMENIA’S REACTION TO PARIS DISCUSSIONS

armradio.am
18.12.2008 11:33

Session of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) took place in Paris during which the
draft report on the implementation of PACE Resolutions 1609 and 1620
resolutions by Armenia was presented by co-rapporteurs John Prescott
and Georges Colombier.

In its draft resolution, adopted yesterday in Paris, the Monitoring
Committee welcomed the Armenian President’s creation of a fact-finding
group of experts to look into the March events as an important
step towards meeting the Assembly’s demands, but cautioned that
its credibility would depend on how it conducts its work. They also
expressed satisfaction at efforts to initiate reforms in the media,
electoral legislation and the judiciary.

However, the parliamentarians said that "notwithstanding positive
developments in some areas" the limited progress with regard to the
release of the above mentioned persons meant the Armenian delegation
should be deprived of its vote, if no further progress is reached in
this request before the January 2009 PACE plenary session.

The Assembly is due to decide on the matter on Thursday 29 January
during its forthcoming Winter plenary Session (26 – 30 January 2009).

The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian told a short press
conference that some unfavorable suggestions on Armenia comprise part
of a working process.

"Only 15 of 80 members of the Committee where present 10 of which
voted for the voiced suggestions. The very issue on Armenia will
be put for voting at the January session of the PACE I think there
will be such developments in January that will give an opportunity
to review today’s suggestion and confirm that Armenia has implemented
most part of the 1609 and 1620 resolutions. Our position and approach
is that we must continue the process of reforms as it corresponds to
the interests of our people. This is our choice and not the advice
of anyone. Of course, we respect all those establishments which we
are member to and the commitments we have assumed.

We implement them and will continue doing it," Edward Nalbandian said.