Verelq: The CE appreciates Pashinyan’s commitment to be ahead of judicial reforms. Jagland

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorborn Jagland sent a letter to the RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, emphasizing that the Council of Europe greatly appreciates the commitment of the RA Prime Minister to pursue the agenda of judicial reforms.

Here is an unofficial translation of Jagland’s letter, as well as a copy of the original.

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

I want to thank you and your government for the warm reception shown to the members of the Council of Europe delegation who visited Armenia on May 30 and 31, as well as for the constructive discussions with them.

The Council of Europe greatly appreciates your commitment to pursuing the judicial reform agenda. We also share your assessment that it is necessary to multiply the efforts aimed at fighting corruption and to reform and restructure the judicial system in accordance with the Constitution of Armenia and Armenia’s international obligations.

A strategy of comprehensive and forward-looking judicial reforms implemented quickly and decisively will properly realize the legitimate goals of your government. That strategy can be built on three pillars: vigorous anti-corruption efforts, increasing the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary, and addressing human rights violations. It can be guided by the conclusions of the relevant structures and monitoring mechanisms of the Council of Europe, in particular, the European Court of Human Rights, the Venice Commission and GRECO. Such a strategy will ensure credibility towards reforms, their predictability and continuity of international support.

The Council of Europe is ready to actively participate in the implementation of these reforms within the Action Plan, which will be launched in a few days in Yerevan with the participation of the Deputy Secretary General.

Looking forward to continued cooperation,

Sincerely yours,

Thorbjorn Jagland.”