Friday, May 17 2019 18:19

ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign  Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan spoke at the 129th Session of the  Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the press service of  RA MFA reports.

The Minister in his speech focused on five aspects.: "Dear  colleagues, First of all, I extend my warm congratulations to Finland  for an effective Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.

I would like to thank Secretary General Jagland for his tireless  efforts and the grand vision for the future of this Council shown  throughout his mandate. Big thank you and profound respect!  I have  five points to make.

First, the Council of Europe is not a security organization and all  issues of security should be addressed through the perspective of  human rights. The selective approach to principles of international  law particularly when it is done at the expense of equal rights and  self-determination of peoples undermines the idea of democratic  security. This principle resonates particularly strongly within the  walls of the Finlandia Hall with its message of 1975.

Second, building hospitals, schools or having babies in conflict  areas are not acts "against public international law". Human rights,  human dignity and their protection can not be applied selectively.   The Commissioner for Human Rights should not be obstructed from  delivering protection to all. The term "grey zones" is wrong, there  should not be any.

Third, prevention of mass atrocities also lies at the heart of  democratic security. We should be resolute about condemning  denigration of victims and their dignity, and justification of  heinous crimes. President of Turkey on 24 of April, of all dates in  the calendar, justified crimes perpetrated against the victims of the  Armenian Genocide by calling them "Armenian gangs and their  supporter", whose "relocation" was "the only reasonable action". This  is a disturbing warning sign to all who are serious about prevention  of mass atrocities.

Fourth, with the peaceful Velvet Revolution one year ago, Armenia and  its people demonstrated the powers, ideals and values of a democratic  society. With an overwhelming support and sustained strong public  mandate following the parliamentary elections last December, Armenia  reconfirmed the powers of political will for securing uncontested  democratic elections. Political will to protect and advance democracy  is at the heart of the policies of our Government. We have also  demonstrated that confusing values and geopolitics is unnecessary and  dangerous.

Fifth, against the background of multiple challenges to our  collective commitments European unity is in compelling demand.   Complacency about values of democracy and human rights, and tolerance  to their failures are a cause of collective amnesia. We forget that  democracy, human rights and the rule of law have been a result of  arduous work of the past 70 years. We need to be reminded about the  catastrophic alternatives to a democratic society in Europe. Common  democratic European space cannot be taken for granted. Both our  national and our collective European institutions need consistent  reinforcement. No society and no member state is an exception. The  Council of Europe is in demand as ever. All its statutory bodies need  reinforcement, the Parliamentary Assembly needs to be fully cleansed  of corruption. The report of the Secretary General deserves support  as a meaningful and compelling roadmap for reforms.  Zero real growth  is the minimum first step to securing sustainability of this  institution. The message of the 70th Anniversary derives not only  from the 1949 Treaty of London, but also from the end of the Cold War  about 30 years ago. We cannot go back to divisions of the past. The  Council and the values and principles it is built upon need  recommitment of its members."