National Assembly of RA , Armenia
March 13 2009

Ambassador of the Netherlands in the National Assembly

On March 12 RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received the
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of
Armenia Mr Onno Elderenbosch.

Welcoming the Ambassador NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan highly
assessed the inter-state relations with the Kingdom of the
Netherlands, noting that the relations between the parliaments have
all possibilities to become close cooperation. The activation of the
mutual visits, the use of the Dutch legislative experience, the
support of the Netherlands in Armenia’s Euro integration processes, in
particular within the format of Eastern Partnership programme was
highlighted. To Mr Abrahamyan’s conviction, the creation of the
parliamentary friendship groups will promote becoming closer the
Armenian-Dutch inter-parliamentary partnership, which will also boost
the cooperation in international different organizations. He said that
in the National Assembly Armenian-Dutch parliamentary friendship group
would be set up in the near future.

Ambassador Mr Onno Elderenbosch highlighted the further development of
the Armenian-Dutch relations, considering necessary the cooperation of
the parliaments in inter-state relations. He noted that the
Netherlands discussed to implement partnership programme worth 1.5 m
euro with the National Assembly of Armenia, which would boost the
inter-parliamentary cooperation, the mutual visits, exchange of
experience and contacts at different levels. Touching upon the
regional problems the Ambassador noted that as a result of the
Russian-Georgian conflict the economy of Armenia incurred great losses
and expressed regret that the European Union attached little interest
to that circumstance and did not support Armenia. He highly assessed
the efforts of Armenia in improving the relations with the neighbours,
in particular, with Turkey, in this context highlighting the necessity
of the regional security and stability.

Presenting the inner-political problems of Armenia and the situation
created as a result of March 1 events, the NA President noted that the
authorities of the country did everything possible in fulfilling the
provisions of PACE resolutions. In particular, the working group
created by the decree of the NA President had already drafted the
amendments to the 225 and 300 articles of the Criminal Code, which
after being adopted in the first reading were passed to the expertise
of the Venice Commission, getting positive conclusion and will be
debated in the second reading at the upcoming four-day sittings. The
NA President highlighted the creation of the atmosphere of tolerance
in the country, expressing hope that in the upcoming months the
progress will be noticeable in that direction.

At the meeting other issues were also discussed.