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22
06, 2011
President Serzh Sargsyan met with a number of high-ranking CE official
President Serzh Sargsyan, who arrived to Strasbourg on a working visit to participated at the plenary meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), met today with a number of high-ranking CE official. The results of these meetings were summarized at the President’s press-conference.
At the entrance to the main building of the Council of Europe, the President of Armenia was greeted by the President of PACE Mevlet Chavusoglu. At the meeting with the President of PACE, Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of Armenia’s cooperation with the European structures, including the CE.
In Strasbourg, President Sargsyan met also with the Co-Rapporteur on Armenia of the CE Monitoring Commission John Prescott. The interlocutors discussed democratic reforms in Armenia, and issues related to the freedom of speech and strengthening of the rule of law.
Mr. Prescott noted that Armenia has registered considerable progress in the area of democracy and protection of human rights which is a result of the Armenian authorities’ determination and efforts.
Later, President Sargsyan met with the CE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg. The Commissioner for Human Rights praised cooperation of the CE structures with Armenia and underscored in the Council of Europe Armenia is presented to other countries as an example of the impressive results that can be reached through a constructive work with the CE structures.
In Strasbourg, the President of Armenia visited also the “Roads” photo exhibition of the Armenian photographer Karen Mirzoyan, which was opened on June 20 at the Council of Europe on the occasion of the summer session of the CE and Armenia’s 10th anniversary of membership to this Organization.
President Serzh Sargsyan met also with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. The meeting was followed by the joint press-conference of the President of Armenia and the CE Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland.
(Statement by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the joint Press Conference with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland is introduced therein under)
At the meeting with the President of Armenia, Thorbjørn Jagland underscored that Armenia is a very important member of the Council of Europe which, in addition, is located in a very important for Europe region. The CE Secretary General praised positive developments which are taking place recently in Armenia’s internal life, aimed at the creation of the atmosphere of mutual understanding, and the dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. The parties discussed also reforms currently underway in Armenia and possible assistance of the CE in their implementation. President Sargsyan and Thorbjørn Jagland spoke also about the forthcoming meeting to be held in the framework of the NK peace process. At the meeting with Jean Paul Costa, President of the European Court of Human Rights, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that the European Court of Human Rights plays an essential role in the formation of the legal system in Armenia. According to the President, it is no accident that domestic courts in their rulings are guided also by the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, regardless of the fact whether the decision was adopted related to the RA or any other country’s legal case. Jean Paul Costa noted that Armenia is an exemplary country from the viewpoint of the dissemination of the European Court related information.
***
Statement by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the joint Press Conference with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland
I am glad to be here, at the Council of Europe. Armenia attaches the utmost importance to its membership in this Organization. In the framework of the CE Armenia has unfolded active cooperation in order to move forward and enhance the comprehensive package of reforms. In the CE, Armenia brings her participation to the discussions of various issues of the common European agenda and human rights, rule of law and fight against corruption, as well as on a wide spectrum of social and cultural issues.
Today, I have already held very productive meetings with the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Hammarberg, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Chavusoglu, and the co-Rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee Mr. Prescott. Later, I will make a statement at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly and will also visit the European Court of Human Rights.
During these meetings, I’ve stressed the importance of active cooperation in the framework of the Council of Europe. Basic principles of the CE are the cornerstones of the Armenian statehood, thus, we deeply realize the exigency to reinforce them at the state level.
I have reiterated Armenia’s determination to implement all issues of Armenia-CE agenda, including the fulfillment of our obligations. We have also discussed the process of comprehensive reforms going on in Armenia. They include reforms which are being implemented in the judicial, police, human rights, freedom of speech and a number of other areas.
With this regard, we highly appreciate supportive and considerate involvement of the CE officials in the development of this cooperation. I have also expressed our gratitude to different CE bodies for the assistance provided in the implementation of the reforms.
We have also discussed issues related to Armenia’s internal political processes. Processes currently underway in Armenia, are aimed at the recovery of the political field. I’ve presented to my interlocutors the steps made on that direction, including the work with the extra parliamentary forces.
I am confident, that in the nearest future, our close cooperation and interaction will allow to register considerable progress in the process of reformation in Armenia.
And I once again express gratitude to the Secretary General for his personal involvement.
***
Delegation headed by the President of Armenia concluded its working visit to Strasbourg and returned to Yerevan.
At the entrance to the main building of the Council of Europe, the President of Armenia was greeted by the President of PACE Mevlet Chavusoglu. At the meeting with the President of PACE, Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of Armenia’s cooperation with the European structures, including the CE.
In Strasbourg, President Sargsyan met also with the Co-Rapporteur on Armenia of the CE Monitoring Commission John Prescott. The interlocutors discussed democratic reforms in Armenia, and issues related to the freedom of speech and strengthening of the rule of law.
Mr. Prescott noted that Armenia has registered considerable progress in the area of democracy and protection of human rights which is a result of the Armenian authorities’ determination and efforts.
Later, President Sargsyan met with the CE Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg. The Commissioner for Human Rights praised cooperation of the CE structures with Armenia and underscored in the Council of Europe Armenia is presented to other countries as an example of the impressive results that can be reached through a constructive work with the CE structures.
In Strasbourg, the President of Armenia visited also the “Roads” photo exhibition of the Armenian photographer Karen Mirzoyan, which was opened on June 20 at the Council of Europe on the occasion of the summer session of the CE and Armenia’s 10th anniversary of membership to this Organization.
President Serzh Sargsyan met also with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland. The meeting was followed by the joint press-conference of the President of Armenia and the CE Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland.
(Statement by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the joint Press Conference with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland is introduced therein under)
At the meeting with the President of Armenia, Thorbjørn Jagland underscored that Armenia is a very important member of the Council of Europe which, in addition, is located in a very important for Europe region. The CE Secretary General praised positive developments which are taking place recently in Armenia’s internal life, aimed at the creation of the atmosphere of mutual understanding, and the dialogue between the authorities and the opposition. The parties discussed also reforms currently underway in Armenia and possible assistance of the CE in their implementation. President Sargsyan and Thorbjørn Jagland spoke also about the forthcoming meeting to be held in the framework of the NK peace process. At the meeting with Jean Paul Costa, President of the European Court of Human Rights, President Serzh Sargsyan noted that the European Court of Human Rights plays an essential role in the formation of the legal system in Armenia. According to the President, it is no accident that domestic courts in their rulings are guided also by the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, regardless of the fact whether the decision was adopted related to the RA or any other country’s legal case. Jean Paul Costa noted that Armenia is an exemplary country from the viewpoint of the dissemination of the European Court related information.
***
Statement by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the joint Press Conference with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland
I am glad to be here, at the Council of Europe. Armenia attaches the utmost importance to its membership in this Organization. In the framework of the CE Armenia has unfolded active cooperation in order to move forward and enhance the comprehensive package of reforms. In the CE, Armenia brings her participation to the discussions of various issues of the common European agenda and human rights, rule of law and fight against corruption, as well as on a wide spectrum of social and cultural issues.
Today, I have already held very productive meetings with the Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Hammarberg, Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Chavusoglu, and the co-Rapporteur of the PACE Monitoring Committee Mr. Prescott. Later, I will make a statement at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly and will also visit the European Court of Human Rights.
During these meetings, I’ve stressed the importance of active cooperation in the framework of the Council of Europe. Basic principles of the CE are the cornerstones of the Armenian statehood, thus, we deeply realize the exigency to reinforce them at the state level.
I have reiterated Armenia’s determination to implement all issues of Armenia-CE agenda, including the fulfillment of our obligations. We have also discussed the process of comprehensive reforms going on in Armenia. They include reforms which are being implemented in the judicial, police, human rights, freedom of speech and a number of other areas.
With this regard, we highly appreciate supportive and considerate involvement of the CE officials in the development of this cooperation. I have also expressed our gratitude to different CE bodies for the assistance provided in the implementation of the reforms.
We have also discussed issues related to Armenia’s internal political processes. Processes currently underway in Armenia, are aimed at the recovery of the political field. I’ve presented to my interlocutors the steps made on that direction, including the work with the extra parliamentary forces.
I am confident, that in the nearest future, our close cooperation and interaction will allow to register considerable progress in the process of reformation in Armenia.
And I once again express gratitude to the Secretary General for his personal involvement.
***
Delegation headed by the President of Armenia concluded its working visit to Strasbourg and returned to Yerevan.