Swedish Ambassador: A strong and resilient parliament is crucial for  strengthening democracy in Armenia

ArmInfo.  The annual meeting of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Council for the project "Strengthening the Efficiency, Effectiveness, Transparency, and  Inclusiveness of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia"  was held in Yerevan. According to the NA press service, the event was  attended by Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, Ambassadors of Sweden  and Canada Eva Sundqvist and Andrew Turner, UNDP Resident  Representative in the Republic of Armenia Natia Natsvlishvili, and  other officials.

Welcoming the Council participants, Alen Simonyan expressed gratitude  for the long-term and effective cooperation. He praised UNDP's  significant role in developing the institutional capacity of the  country's parliament and wished the partners success in their future  work and endeavors. "Strong and resilient parliaments are crucial for  strengthening democracy," said Eva Sundqvist. She added that partners  want to contribute to inclusiveness and transparency in the National  Assembly's policymaking. Speaking about the ongoing programs, the  Swedish Ambassador noted that these initiatives are aimed at creating  and developing a responsive and transparent parliament. Praising  mutual cooperation, the diplomat emphasized that Stockholm will  continue to support Armenia in its efforts to achieve democratic,  inclusive, and sustainable development.

"We are very proud that Canada has been collaborating with the  National Assembly for several years through various programs,  contributing to the development of democracy in Armenia," Andrew  Turner emphasized. He noted that the work of the National Assembly is  one of the pillars of democratic processes.

Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Natia  Natsvlishvili called the work carried out strategic, noting that the  goal is to promote the role and activities of the National Assembly  as a pillar of democracy. Speaking in detail about the implemented  programs, Natia Natsvlishvili noted that recent studies show that the  reforms have increased public trust.

Project Manager Ruzanna Hayrapetyan summarized the key work and  results achieved in 2025, as well as the activities planned for 2026.  She called the development and approval of the National Assembly  strategy a major achievement in 2025. Five priorities were identified  for implementation in collaboration with the staff of the National  Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. Ruzanna Hayrapetyan noted that a  public opinion assessment was conducted, which showed an increase in  accountability, trust in the National Assembly, effectiveness,  perception, and transparency of its activities. She also presented  the work to be completed in 2026, before and after the elections.

It should be noted that the UNDP project "Supporting the Efficiency,  Effectiveness, Transparency, and Inclusiveness of the National  Assembly of the Republic of Armenia" is being implemented with the  support of the governments of Sweden, Canada, and Norway.