Thursday, September 13 2018 14:02

ArmInfo. Concluding a two-day visit to Armenia, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) welcomed the ongoing efforts to  implement electoral reforms in the country, urging broad political  consensus for any changes to the electoral system. He reiterated the  OSCE and the Parliamentary Assembly's commitment to supporting  Armenia's continued democratic development.

As press service  OSCE informed ArmInfo OSCE PA President Tsereteli  and Secretary General Roberto Montella met with President Armen  Sarkissian, Parliament President Ara Babloyan, Foreign Minister  Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, parliamentary leaders, civil society  representatives, members of the international community, as well as  students and faculty from Yerevan State University.

"Following a dramatic change of government earlier this year, the  Armenian political system has been put to a new test. I'm pleased to  see a willingness for political forces to work together  constructively, and with planned reforms to electoral processes,  broad consensus is doubly important," said President Tsereteli.  "The  responsibility for this process lies clearly in the hands of  Armenia's people and authorities, and the OSCE and the Parliamentary  Assembly remain committed to supporting this process for the best  possible outcome."

In his first presidential visit since being elected to the position  at the OSCE PA's Annual Session in July this year, the President  welcomed the opportunity to consult with colleagues in the Armenian  parliament regarding their priority concerns within the OSCE.  In his  meetings with officials, President Tsereteli discussed a range of  issues including economic development, electoral reform,  anti-corruption efforts, regional relations, and Armenia's work  within the OSCE. He reiterated the OSCE PA's support for the work of  the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs on Nagorno-Karabakh, but  stressed that the ultimate responsibility on delivery of concrete  results and progress lies with the political leaderships of the  parties involved.

"Coming from the South Caucasus region myself, I understand the  challenges and sensitivities impacting Armenia. I hope that the  authorities will make full use of the range of tools that the OSCE  has to offer, to help the country fully live up to the expectations  of its people," said Tsereteli.

Noting that both the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Enzo Moavero  Milanesi and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger have visited  Armenia in recent months, the President stressed the strong  commitment of the Organization to Armenia's continued development.   To contribute to Assembly activities in the region, the President is  expected to appoint a new Special Representative of the OSCE  Parliamentary Assembly on the South Caucasus region.

The President and Secretary General welcomed the active participation  of Armenian parliamentarians in all OSCE PA activities. The OSCE PA  will hold its annual Autumn Meeting from 3-6 October in Bishkek,  Kyrgyzstan.