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PACE adopts resolution on Armenia

17 April 2008 13:50 (UTC +04:00)

APAâ€™s Europe bureau reports that 93 parliamentarians voted for the draft resolution prepared by parliamentarians Georges Colombier (France) and John Prescott (Great Britain). During the extraordinary discussions John Prescott underlined some points in Armenia what he called positive.
â€œFor example, holding referendum on the countryâ€™s Constitution. But we have always said that such positive steps are not enough. Not all the recommendations are fulfilled by Armenia, thatâ€™s why there is a need to hold such extraordinary discussions. There is no confidence in democratic institutions in Armenia and their activity is approached with doubt. The cause of peopleâ€™s demonstration after the elections was distrust. 10 were killed over hundred including 3 parliamentarians were arrested during tragic events. Presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan was under house arrest. We should learn what happened in the country, there is a need to carry out a special independent investigation in order to clarify the situation. Such an investigation can strengthen peopleâ€™s confidence in these institutions. The Council of Europe and generally the international community may help this investigation on the level of special monitoring. I think if the situation goes on like this, it will damage the image of Armenia as the member of the Council of Europeâ€, he said.
John Prescott said the draft resolution contained some recommendations to Armenia.
â€œOur short and concrete recommendation to Armenia is: if there is no positive reaction to our proposals, we will take all this into consideration by the next session. It is important to reach a consensus on freezing Armeniaâ€™s rights in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europeâ€, he said.
French MP Georges Colombier said that the confidence of Armenia as member of the Council of Europe was doubtful.
â€œIf Armenia does not fulfill the requirements and recommendations in the resolution and there is no improvement, the committee should consider the issue on freezing the voting rights of the Armenian delegation in June sessionâ€, he said.
Following the discussions the resolution was adopted. Members of Azerbaijani delegation top PACE Samad Seyidov and Gultakin Hajiyeva also made speeches during the discussions.