On February 3 RA NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received Mr Charles Lonsdale, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Armenia.
Welcoming the Ambassador, the RA NA Speaker underlined the necessity of activating and developing the inter-parliamentary relations and highlighted the cooperation of parliamentary friendship groups, exchange of experience in the legislative field and cooperation in international structures. In this context the NA Speaker expressed satisfaction for the support of the British delegation in PACE last session.
Touching upon the inner-political situation of Armenia RA NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan highlighted the strengthening of stability in the country and the mutual trust between the authorities and the society. Mr Abrahamyan noted that from the first day of being elected Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia he had proposed that the parliament would be a rostrum of plurality and constructive criticism for all political forces. Touching upon the necessity of the amendment of Articles 225 and 300 of the Criminal Code, he noted that a working group was set up headed by Mr Davit Harutyunyan, Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, which should present within a month amendments in compliance with European standards. In this context touching upon the problem of the detained persons after the March 1 events the NA Speaker emphasized that nobody could be condemned for political views, trial is going on.
The RA NA Speaker said that constructive reforms were underway, and the parliament should completely implement the authorities reserved by the Constitution.
Expressing gratitude for the meeting Ambassador Mr Charles Lonsdale also highlighted the activation of inter-parliamentary relations, noting the necessity of the development of cooperation of the parliaments’ staffs in concrete directions.
At the end Mr Abrahamyan reaffirmed the invitation of the Speaker of the House of Commons of Great Britain to Armenia.