On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Armenian Parliament delegations of international institutions and parliaments of other countries arrived in Armenia.

On October 31 NA Vice President Tigran Torosyan received Bernard Schreiner, Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

NA Vice President highlighted the visit of the PACE Vice President to Armenia and touching upon the process of the constitutional amendments, noted that the referendum of November 27 is a good opportunity for Armenia from the viewpoint of democratic consolidation. The positive result of the referendum will enable our country to create wide mechanisms in the matter of protection of human rights, have more balanced state system, more impartial and independent judicial system and full self-government body. As Tigran Torosyan ensured, after the positive result of the referendum, as well as holding parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007 and 2008 in compliance with European standards, and through calling into life the opportunities of the constitutional amendments and a good basis will be created for shaping future steps of Euro-Integration and practical programmes. This will give opportunity not only to change the life in certain spheres, but also to make decisive turn, making impossible the return to difficult years and the not losing what was achieved with difficulty. The constitutional amendments are of great importance for our country not only as an amendment of the most important document of the country, but also as a basis of radical changes of the life of the country. There is much to be done, but in the aspect of democracy consolidation and European Integration, Armenia turned to the most important and interesting stage. In this context Mr. Torosyan highlighted the role of the Council of Europe and PA Venice Commission.

Mr. Torosyan highlighted the role of the Council of Europe in shaping the integral Europe, as well as in 21 countries, which aren’t still EU members from the viewpoint of democracy consolidation, human rights and improving the laws.

As Bernard Schreiner, PACE Vice President, was convinced the role of the Council of Europe is to help the countries being in transition period deepen democracy and stabilize the country: the Council of Europe orientates, directs, but not compels.

Mr. Schreiner highly estimated the efforts of Armenia in the direction of integrating to Europe. PACE Vice President expressed a hope that in contrast with 2003 referendum, the participation in the upcoming referendum will be bigger and it will have successful result.

Elaborating on the issue of Karabakh conflict, Mr. Torosyan highlighted the role of PACE in this matter, noting that PACE January # 1416 Resolution, which in Armenia and Azerbaijan was not accepted, the time showed that it was good, as the right of the determination of the mentioned nations with the principle of integrity of territories now the Minsk group Co-chairmen are using. The Resolution was also offering to Armenia and Azerbaijan to make concrete steps in the direction of eliminating confidence, establishing tolerance and excluding war-like appeals and campaign.

During the meeting other issues of bilateral interest were discussed too.

Armenia-Finland parliamentary friendship group met Markku Koski, First Deputy Speaker of the Finnish Parliament. Ararat Malkhasyan, member of the Armenia-Finland parliamentary friendship group, welcoming the guest, then he familiarized with the activity of the National Assembly and Rules of Procedure: parallels were made between the parliaments of the two countries. During the meeting they spoke about the main problems of science and education, highlighted the exchange of experience, organization of joint scientific-educational and cultural arrangements.

Mr. Malkhasyan highlighted the necessity of the development of the inter-parliamentary relations, proposing to give the cooperation more practical character. Ararat Malkasyan noted that in NA steps are made to elaborate a new concept, highlighting the study of the experience of organizing science of Finland.

Armenia-Tajikistan parliamentary friendship group of the National Assembly met the delegation of the Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan headed by Vice President U. Dovlatov.

During the meeting in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and agreement the problems of deepening the Armenian-Tajik inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations, the close work of the parliamentary friendship groups was highlighted.

The members of the parliamentary delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan considered important the constitutional reforms taking place in Armenia and speaking about their state, noted that the establishment of peace brings development in the sphere of economy.