On November 24, in the Tavricheski Palace in Saint Petersburg, an international conference was convened, within the framework of the IPA CIS, on the theme of international humanitarian rights, which was dedicated to the 140^th anniversary of the St. the Petersburg Declaration, adopted in 1868. The delegation headed by Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, comprised of Mr. Gagik Minasyan, Mr. Avet Adonts, Mr. Ara Nranyan and Mr. Mikayel Manukyan, who participated in the work of the conference.

Mr. Sergey Mironov, Chairman of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation conveyed to the participants of the conference the address of the RF President Mr. Dmitry Medvedev. The participants of the conference presented their speeches. Prime Minister Mr. Vladimir Putin highlighted the St. Petersburg Declaration, saying that it bans the use of explosives during war activities. He drew the attention of the participants to the particular provision of the declaration, by which it is proposed to keep the peaceful population far away from war activities, whereas during the present conflicts it is the peaceful population, who suffer and very often it is even difficult to display humanitarian aid.

The Head of the National Delegation of the Republic of Armenia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Financial-Credit and Budgetary Affairs, Mr. Gagik Minasyan, presented the address of PA BSEC. He said that PA BSEC activity is directed to inter-parliamentary cooperation, the strengthening of democracy, creation of new opportunities of mutual cooperation in PA BSEC region. The PA BSEC observes the main directions of regional economic cooperation. In the Declaration, adopted on the occasion of the 15^th anniversary of PA BSEC, the Assembly notes its concern that the unsolved conflicts hamper the activities of regional and European integration.

Mr. Gagik Minasyan said, “We are sure that the reopening of the borders and the economic cooperation between the countries in the region will promote not only the stable development of those countries but also will set up favorable conditions for the solution of the conflicts.” He also said that the Assembly adopted the recommendations on “Combating Organized Crime and Trafficking,” and on “Role of the Parliaments in Combating International Terrorism.”The Assembly also highlights the maintenance of democracy, rule of law, justice, protection of human rights and freedom, productive governance, solidarity, application of mutual trust and international norms and overcoming the challenges through maintaining regional and international peace. In this context the delegate of the Republic of Armenia highlighted the 1868 St. Petersburg Declaration, saying that it became one of the main documents of present international humanitarian rights. Mr. Gagik Minasyan stressed that from now on the general principles and goals of the two Assemblies should be directed to productive cooperation, peace, the maintenance of peace and development of peoples.

Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan, Vice President of the National Assembly, touching upon the works of the Assembly, said that the St. Petersburg Declaration is a call directed to all the representatives of all the countries and communities. The means of war are changed, a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is created and there is a necessity to avoid such arms, which can hurt peaceful populations.

The participants of the assembly adopted a declaration, which calls the states and their armed forces to maintain the spirit of the document, adopted 140 years ago, to take in to consideration the fundamental principles and objectives of the Declaration and develop its humanitarian values.

Council of CSTO PA began its work in the afternoon. Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan, Vice President of the National Assembly participated in it. Among other issues the Council debated the record on the military-political situation of the South Caucasus region, related to which Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan said that the report corresponds to reality. Touching upon Armenian- Turkish relations Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan said that development in relations are not seen after the visit of the Turkish president to Armenia on the invitation of Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia. The blockade continues and the solution of the conflict of NKR stays as a precondition for Turkey for reopening the borders.

The Armenian parliamentarians participated in the meetings of the standing committees of IPA CIS. Mr. Avet Adonts, Member of Parliament, participated in the meeting of the Standing Committee on Culture and Information, Tourism and Sports Affairs. Issues, relating to ethno-cultural public associations of citizens, intellectual property, physical education and sports, model laws of cultural heritage and information code of the member countries of CIS, were debated.

Mr. Ara Nranyan, Member of Parliament, participated in the meeting of CSTO PA Committee for Political Affairs and International Cooperation. More than a dozen issues were debated.

As the Member of Parliament noted that there was highlighted the issue of displaying a unified position of the representatives of the member countries of CSTO PA in voting on the debated issues in the international structures. Mr. Ara Nranyan also participated in the meeting of the committee of political issues and international cooperation of PA CIS, where the proposal of the RF President Mr. Dmitry Medvedev on the issues, related to the necessity of signing a new treaty on a security system in Europe and issues, related to the U.S. missile security systems in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Mr. Mikael Manukyan, Member of Parliament participated in the work of the committee on Legal Affairs of IPA CIS. Issues related to model code and model law were debated, and touched upon the work done. In St. Petersburg Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan and members of the delegation met with representatives of the Armenian community. The Armenian community of St. Petersburg has a history of 290 years. Many churches were built within those years. The Apostolic Church has a Sunday school, where more than 100 Armenian children learn to read and write. Armenian, Armenian literature the history of the Armenian people is taught there. Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan highlighted the role of the Armenian community and work, directed to the preservation of Armenian identity. The delegation also visited the Saint Harutyun Church and gymnasium #259.

Mr. Hrayr Karapetyan expressed hope that our compatriots in St. Petersburg will do their best for the preservation of national traditions, culture, and would make their contribution in strengthening ties between Armenia and Russia.