On June 9 Tigran Torosyan, RA NA President received the Ago Monitoring Group of CE Committee of Ministers headed by Roland Wegener, Permanent Representative of Germany to the Council of Europe. Bojana Urumova, Special Representative of the CE General Secretary and Christian Ter-Stepanian, RA Permanent Representative to CE attended the meeting.

During the meeting issues related to Armenia’s undertaken obligations before CE were discussed. Tigran Torosyan, RA NA President, noting that the most important stage of cooperation is underway, expressed confidence that the work process will already give opportunity on October 2007 to discuss the end of Armenia’s monitoring, when all the compliances of legislation with constitutional reforms will be fulfilled and the parliamentary elections will meet all international standards.

Mr. Wegener being led with the traditions of the former successful cooperation expressed a hope that from now on the activities with the Group will resume with the same spirit and effectiveness. He touched upon the Electoral Code reforms, highlighting the remarks of the Venice Commission and holding democratic elections in Armenia. Within the framework of the compliance of the legislation with the Constitution, Mr. Wegener elaborated on the amendments of the law on Radio and Television, with the observation of making hear the opposition’s voice, also the effectiveness of the work of the Human Rights Defender from the view of the solved issues.

NA President Tigran Torosyan noted that the activities of complying the legislation with the Constitution are already in the process in the National Assembly and a number of drafts have been passed: if there are recommendations of the Venice Commission and CE experts on them, they will be taken into account and amendments will be certainly made in the laws already in the autumn session. He expressed readiness to promote the effectiveness of the activities of the Human Rights Defender, as his problem is the protection of the citizens’ rights of Armenia, for which the parliament that appointed him is interested in and is responsible.

It was also noted that the law on Radio and Television has been significantly improved. Touching upon the freedom of press, Mr. Torosyan highlighted providing pluralism in the mass media, which will make possible to deepen the use of the fixed provisions by Constitution in the legislation. The national Assembly will turn to the Electoral Code reforms after getting the endorsement of the Venice Commission in autumn.

During the meeting issues concerning the Nagorno Karabakh were also discussed: Mr. Torosyan highlighted the creation of the appropriate atmosphere in two countries, after which only the solution of the problem will become possible. It was noted that the Azeri campaigning means don’t promote the creation of the favourable conditions with their calls of hatred and war, which is a serious concern and PACE has also things to do in this aspect.

During the meeting other issues were also discussed.