On June 13 Tigran Torosyan, RA NA President met members of the joint delegations of the NATO PA Subcommittee on Democratic Governance (CDSDG) and Subcommittee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities (DSCFC).

Welcoming the guests, the NA President assessed the delegations’ visit to Armenia as one more step on the path of cooperation of the Republic of Armenia with NATO, noting that those relations dynamically develop and expressing satisfaction from their level. It was also noted that within that framework the Individual Partnership Actions Plan is of unique importance. Mr. Torosyan considered an important impetus the status of Armenia’s associate member for deepening relations, highlighting that those relations develop not only in harmonizing the laws with defensive, but democratic, political and European standards. The Parliament President specified this period in Armenia’s life as a period of preparation of 2007 and 2008 general elections and complying the legislation with the constitutional amendments. Then Mr. Torosyan answered the questions of the delegations’ members, which related to NATO and Armenia relationship, the region and activities of the National Assembly.

Vahit Erdem (Turkey), Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities, noted about their mission that the problem is the review of Armenia and NATO relationship, meaning that as a result of geopolitical changes, NATO has also been changed and turned into the structure of peace protection in the world, which is open for any country. Mr. Frank Cook, representative of Great Britain, will prepare a regional report. Mr. Erdem was interested in Armenia’s preparation in the elections. In response to that, NA President Tigran Torosyan detailed that the parliament is involved now in the reforms of the Electoral Code, the opinion of the Venice Commission experts have already been received, and after the debates of which and agreement of political forces the National Assembly will already adopt the Electoral Code at the autumn session. In response to NA President Tigran Torosyan detailed that the parliament now is involved in the Electoral Code reforms, the opinion of the Venice Commission Experts have been received, after the debates and agreement of political forces the National Assembly will adopt the Electoral Code at the autumn session. Mr. Torosyan also noted that some provisions are tested to be specified and improved in action. The NA President highlighted the creation of favourable moral-psychological atmosphere and cooperation of all parties for holding elections in compliance with democratic standards.

Frank Cook, representative of Great Britain, also touched upon the necessity of atmosphere of confidence and friendship, which will create grounds for holding elections in compliance with democratic standards.

Vitalino Canas, representative of Portugal, was interested in the issue if Armenia considering of priority its foreign policy the membership of the European Union will join the NATO too. Mr. Torosyan reminded that there are EU member-countries that are not NATO members, and it’s a normal phenomenon. He re-affirmed that membership of the European Union is the priority of Armenia’s foreign policy, all the steps are undertaken in the membership of Armenia to EU, and Armenia has not made any statement about the intention of joining NATO, but said about deepening consistent relations, what is done.

Tchetin Kazak, representative of Subcommittee on Democratic Governance wanted to clarify the role of the parliament on the way of deepening democracy and Armenia’s relations with tow neighbours. The NA President Tigran Torosyan noted that Armenia repeatedly declared that it is in favour of normal relations with the neighbours without proposing preconditions and believes that contacts, debates are necessary for the establishment of relations and dialogue – for debating all the problems. Some steps have been undertaken in PACE and within the framework of South Caucasus parliamentary initiative, and he expressed a hope that the neighbours too will have readiness for the steps to be undertaken.

Speaking about the report to be prepared, Tigran Torosyan noted a number of provisions that are necessary to improve: in particular in the report it is noted that Armenia’s “international supporters” consider that genocide took place, whereas it should be noted that EU member-countries and the European Parliament recognized the genocide. In response to this, Vahit Erdem, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities (DSCFC), representative of Turkey tried to deny the fact of genocide: in his opinion, in 1915 there was no Armenian Genocide, moreover there was no state order to kill the Armenians and one can say about only 400.000 – 500.000 people, who by the Russians provocation attacked the Turks. Tigran Torosyan, RA NA President interrupted the Turk MP’s ‘lecture of history” and calling him on being correct, considered incompatible such behaviour within the framework of international organization for occupying the post. Tigran Torosyan reminded Vahit Erdem that he has no right to give estimations neither to genocide, nor European Parliament and the countries, which recognized the genocide.