EU PRESIDENCY CALLS UPON THE ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO "REFRAIN FROM FURTHER ARRESTS OF OPPOSITION LEADERS"

Mediamax
March 13, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. The Presidency of the EU is concerned about the
situation in Armenia, and calls on the Armenian authorities to lift
the State of Emergency.

EU Presidency Statement on the Situation in Armenia reads this,
Mediamax reports.

"The Presidency of the EU is concerned about the situation in
Armenia, and calls on the Armenian authorities to lift the State of
Emergency. The Presidency is particularly concerned about reports of
continuing arrests.

The Presidency welcomes the positive decision of the Armenian
authorities to lift two provisions of the declaration of the State
of Emergency on the activities of political parties and NGOs, and
the announcement that the lifting of the restrictions on the media
is being considered.

The Presidency calls again upon the Armenian authorities to release
citizens detained in connection with their political activities and
to refrain from further arrests of opposition leaders.

The Presidency reiterates its recommendation to conduct an independent
investigation of the events of 1 March and what led to them. It
welcomes the statement of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic
of Armenia on the events of 1 March and calls upon the Armenian
authorities to respond.

The Presidency calls on both the Armenian authorities and opposition
leaders to take all necessary steps to reduce tensions, and to refrain
from any action that could exacerbate the current situation.

The Presidency reiterates its call to all political parties to engage
faithfully in political dialogue based on mutual understanding and
trust, which is the only way to arrive at a political solution to
the present situation", the statement reads.