On April 15, 2009 the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan received Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of OSCE Office in Yerevan.

During the discussion the President of the National Assembly reiterated their adherence to all commitments in all dimensions that have been undertaken in the OSCE framework. He highly assessed the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and other executive structures in the implementation of those commitments. They should continue to follow closely and respond to the needs of the Armenian authorities and civil society.

The Speaker of the Armenian parliament touched upon the Memorandum of Cooperation being signed between the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and OSCE Office in Yerevan and assessed it as another example of successful cooperation, which will allow to contributing to the capacity of the Armenian parliament.

After the discussion in the presence of the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan the Chief of the Staff of the National Assembly and Head of OSCE Office in Yerevan Ambassador Sergey Kapinos signed Memorandum of Cooperation in the Gilded Hall.

                MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

               Between the National ASsembly

           OF The Republic of Armenia and the

                     OSCE Office in Yerevan

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia (hereinafter referred to as the National Assembly) from one side and the OSCE Office in Yerevan (hereinafter referred to as the “OSCE”) from the other side, jointly referred to as the Parties;

Sharing the common objective to introduce a new quality, dimension and scope to representative democracy in Armenia;

Mindful of the imperative to uphold, in their joint activities, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, the principle of separation and balance of the legislative, executive and judicial powers , international treaties and agreements, including OSCE principles and commitments;

Having decided to contribute to the further democratization and strengthening of the activities of the National Assembly in Armenia;

To enhance its institutional, human and technical capacities and potential;

To support democratic decision-making based on transparent procedures and recognized international standards; and

To foster an effective system of governance that will support the affirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law,

Agreed on the following:

1. The Parties shall cooperate to improve the efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness of law-making processes based on the conduct of an independent needs-assessment and in line with its corresponding follow up recommendations.

2. The Parties shall work to enhance legislative transparency and access to information.

3. The Parties agree that inclusiveness is at the core of democratic lawmaking and shall elaborate institutional mechanisms that will strengthen participatory processes through enhanced civil society involvement in lawmaking.

4. The Parties shall cooperate to further improve the professional capacities, e.g. analytical, research and drafting skills, of the Standing Committees and staff of the National Assembly through the provision of various training opportunities.

5. The Parties shall cooperate on the implementation of joint activities involving all three OSCE dimensions (politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimension) in support of the affirmation of parliamentarianism and parliamentary democracy.

6. At the request or with the agreement of the National Assembly, the OSCE will facilitate provision of international expert opinions on draft laws and other relevant documents adopted by the National Assembly within the framework of its jurisdiction.

7. The OSCE will endeavour, to the extent feasible, to offer or facilitate provision of technical, educational, informational, logistical and other support, as needed, to the National Assembly, its bodies and staff.

8. The Parties shall endeavour to conclude agreements on specific projects.

9. The Parties shall, in cooperation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, work to develop and deepen collaboration and contacts between the National Assembly and/or its bodies, its staff and similar parliamentary structures and their staff in the OSCE region.

10. Where necessary, the OSCE will endeavour to the extent feasible to facilitate participation and/or involvement of all OSCE institutions in designing and/or implementing joint projects, activities and initiatives agreed with the National Assembly.

11. The Parties shall regularly share relevant information and published materials related to the object of this Memorandum of Co-operation ( hereinafter referred to as the “Memorandum” ).

12. Nothing in or relating to this Memorandum shall be deemed a waiver of any of the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the OSCE and/or its staff.

13. Any dispute between the Parties concerning the application and interpretation of the Memorandum shall be settled amicably and through consultations between the Parties.

14. Amendments and modifications to the Memorandum may be made by mutual agreement between the Parties and shall be stated in a separate Protocol. The Protocol shall enter into force in accordance with the procedure set forth for the enactment of the Memorandum and shall become an integral part of the Memorandum.

15. The present Memorandum shall enter into force upon signature by both Parties and remain in force during the term of the National Assembly of the fourth convocation .

16. Either Party may unilaterally terminate the Memorandum by giving not less than thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice.

17. Termination of the Memorandum shall not be reflected on the projects commenced during its validity unless the Parties agreed otherwise.

18. Done in the city of Yerevan on 15 April 2009, in two copies in the English and Armenian languages, all texts having equal validity. Each Party is given one copy in Armenian and English.

19. Should any discrepancies arise in the interpretation of the provisions of the Memorandum, the English version shall prevail.

For the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia: Mr. Gegham Gharibjania n Head of Staff National Assembly Republic of Armenia

For the OSCE Office in Yerevan: Ambassador Sergey Kapinos Head of Office OSCE Office in Yerevan