ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS RECORD DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS
ARKA
June 4, 2008
YEREVAN, June 4. /ARKA/. Recent presidential elections in Armenia
recorded democratic progress as compared to the previous election
processes, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said.
"To this testifies the recent OSCE report whose observation mission,
representing the ODIHR, monitored the election processes in Armenia,"
the minister told a news conference.
The minister said the elections process, in which Serge Sargssyan won
with 52.82% votes, met all of the country’s international commitments.
Nalbandyan believes Armenia will only benefit from the comments
provided by international organizations on Armenian elections.
"It’s a good thing these organizations have fixed the shortcomings in
our election process. We are considering their comments and working to
eliminate the shortcoming. The way Armenian authorities are approaching
the issue is highly important. It will help bring the next elections
closer to the international standards," Nalbandyan said.
The minister stressed that on April 25 a president-affiliated task
group was set up to see to the implementation of the PACE resolution
1609 on democratic institutions in the country. He said Armenia has
already recorded tangible progress here which has been confirmed at
the meetings with the representatives of various European structures.
Nalbandyan said the task group has already done a good job, namely,
important legislative amendments were passed in the first reading,
special committees were set up, and cooperation with international
experts, including those from the Venice Commission, was given a
start. The minister confirmed the willingness of the authorities to
go through the reforms.
From: Baghdasarian