On September 3, Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the National Assembly participated in the Conference, organized by the Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials
(ACEEEO). The annual meeting this year is held in Yerevan, under the heading of “Judicial Protection of Electoral Rights.”
Mr. Abrahamyan took the floor during the official ceremony of the opening of the conference.
THE SPEECH OF MR. HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
“Judicial Protection of Electoral Rights” during the opening ceremony of the conference.
“Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Guests,
I am happy to participate in the annual conference of the Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO), the 18th meeting of which you decided to hold in Yerevan. I praise the active attitude of the Armenian Central Electoral commission in this aspect. I am confident that this will have its active cooperation with European partners.
All European guests are welcome. I hope besides taking an active part in the meeting, you will also have time to become familiarized with our country, with its rich history and cultural heritage and enjoy the hospitality of Armenia.
The electoral system is one of the important strategic resources for every democratic country. Respecting and protecting the fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, we make efforts in the direction of creating more productive mechanisms for their protection.
The topic chosen for your meeting “Judicial Protection of Electoral Rights” is a reflection of the most complicated issue of our times, related to the elections. No one wants to fail in the elections. Temptation to dispute the results of those elections is great in case they fail in the political struggle.
Just for that reason all the democratic countries want to solve those issues through independent judicial power. There is only one truth, in particular at that time when it is related to hot political competition.And in those conditions only an independent and strong judicial power is the very body that can give a final, unchangeable and not subject to alteration conclusion, related to contradiction of political forces in competition.
The issue of productive protection of electoral rights 
today is present in many democratic states. In this issue I strictly highlight the international cooperation and exchange of experience. As a rule there are general achievements in the electoral systems of all democratic countries, and in particular in protection of electoral rights. At the same time the issues are general, and the possible solutions should be found only by joint efforts and mutually studying each other’s experiences. These kind of meetings testify that the open and transparent debates of present issues are the concern of many European countries as well as Armenia. The presence of our foreign colleagues in this room witness the most serious and resolute intention of the Republic of Armenia to work with our partners from the international structures.
Elections are complicated processes in which are 
involved our citizens, society, but also state and local self-government bodies, political parties and public organizations. That is why the establishment of civil society is extremely important for the realization of democratic governance.
Concluding my speech, once again I welcome all the participants of this meeting and wish you an effective and fruitful work for your conference.
Thank you.”
