EU Monitoring Post-Election Processes in Armenia
08.05.2008,
20:46
The European Union (EU) keeps on highlighting the election and post-election processes in Armenia, EU Special Representative in the South Caucasus Peter Semneby stated at his meeting with Speaker of the RA Parliament Tigran Torosyan.
YEREVAN, May 8. /ARKA/. The European Union (EU) keeps on highlighting the election and post-election processes in Armenia, EU Special Representative in the South Caucasus Peter Semneby stated at his meeting with Speaker of the RA Parliament Tigran Torosyan.
The EU pronounces for the release of the persons arrested for their political activities, the removal of restrictions on rallies as well as for a dialogue between different sections of Armenia’s population, Semneby said.
The EU representative pointed out the importance of creating necessary conditions for a political dialogue, for instance, an independent investigation into the March 1 and following events. Various proposals have been made, namely, the formation of an ad hoc parliamentary commission and the involvement of the RA Ombudsman in the work.
Semneby pointed out that the RA Parliament may play a great role not only in this process, but also in the establishment of a dialogue despite the fact that some of the political forces are not represented in Parliament.
Peter Semneby, who had held a meeting with Levon Ter-Petrosyan before, also pointed out some changes in the views of Armenia’s first president – he is ready to be immediately involved in political processes. The EU representative pointed out the importance of a dialogue with the parliamentary majority.
At Semneby’s request, Speaker Torosyan presented his approaches, pointing out that the changes in Ter-Petrosyan’s positions were seen during the congress, which is natural after some time has passed.
On the other hand, Torosyan said that the opposition keep on distorting facts and accusing everyone – from Armenia’s authorities to European organizations.
He pointed out that Armenia’s legislation does not stipulate arrests for political activities, and the country’s law-enforcement agencies are well aware of that. Law-enforcers will be punished if the investigation reveals arrests for political reasons.
Speaking of a possible dialogue, Torosyan emphasized the importance of specifying the terms of dialogue – who are the participants and what particular problems are to be discussed.
According to Torosyan, no preconditions for a dialogue must be set.
As regards an independent investigation, he pointed out that the possibility of forming an ad hoc commission to investigate the March 1 events is being discussed with the parliamentary factions.
Speaker Torosyan agreed that not all the political forces are represented in Parliament. However, members of other political forces and public organizations were involved an ad hoc commission set up at the RA Parliament to reform Armenia’s Constitution. –0--
The EU pronounces for the release of the persons arrested for their political activities, the removal of restrictions on rallies as well as for a dialogue between different sections of Armenia’s population, Semneby said.
The EU representative pointed out the importance of creating necessary conditions for a political dialogue, for instance, an independent investigation into the March 1 and following events. Various proposals have been made, namely, the formation of an ad hoc parliamentary commission and the involvement of the RA Ombudsman in the work.
Semneby pointed out that the RA Parliament may play a great role not only in this process, but also in the establishment of a dialogue despite the fact that some of the political forces are not represented in Parliament.
Peter Semneby, who had held a meeting with Levon Ter-Petrosyan before, also pointed out some changes in the views of Armenia’s first president – he is ready to be immediately involved in political processes. The EU representative pointed out the importance of a dialogue with the parliamentary majority.
At Semneby’s request, Speaker Torosyan presented his approaches, pointing out that the changes in Ter-Petrosyan’s positions were seen during the congress, which is natural after some time has passed.
On the other hand, Torosyan said that the opposition keep on distorting facts and accusing everyone – from Armenia’s authorities to European organizations.
He pointed out that Armenia’s legislation does not stipulate arrests for political activities, and the country’s law-enforcement agencies are well aware of that. Law-enforcers will be punished if the investigation reveals arrests for political reasons.
Speaking of a possible dialogue, Torosyan emphasized the importance of specifying the terms of dialogue – who are the participants and what particular problems are to be discussed.
According to Torosyan, no preconditions for a dialogue must be set.
As regards an independent investigation, he pointed out that the possibility of forming an ad hoc commission to investigate the March 1 events is being discussed with the parliamentary factions.
Speaker Torosyan agreed that not all the political forces are represented in Parliament. However, members of other political forces and public organizations were involved an ad hoc commission set up at the RA Parliament to reform Armenia’s Constitution. –0--
