President Vahagn Khachaturyan received Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission Janez Lenarčič

President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan received Janez Lenarčič, Head of the Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in Armenia.

Welcoming the guest, the President expressed gratitude for the mission’s many years of work. “You are currently carrying out an extremely important mission in the Republic of Armenia. I can say that the role of the OSCE/ODIHR in the establishment of our democratic institutions, especially in the formation of the electoral institution, has been highly significant and important. I am confident that this time as well, with your support, assistance, and application of your methodology, we will hold democratic, free, and transparent elections. As a result, the most important thing is for the people to be confident that their vote has truly been delivered,” the President stated.

Thanking the President for the reception, Janez Lenarčič noted: “It was in 1996 that the OSCE/ODIHR carried out its first observation mission in Armenia, and this one is the 30th. Armenia has done very good work throughout these years, and I will not go into much detail, since You yourselves know everything very well.”

During the meeting, the sides discussed the main directions and areas of the mission’s activities. Both sides emphasized the importance of vigilant oversight and consistent monitoring of electoral processes, which is essential for ensuring a qualitatively new level of election administration and preventing possible shortcomings.

The discussion also touched upon the overall socio-political atmosphere in the country ahead of the elections and possible developments. In this context, President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Janez Lenarčič stressed the need to strengthen a culture of political tolerance. The sides underlined that conducting a responsible and respectful election campaign by all participants serves the public interest and constitutes a guarantee of democratic stability.

At the end of the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue close cooperation for the further improvement of Armenia’s electoral system and the strengthening of democratic values.