Friday, June 17 2022 16:37

ArmInfo. Following his meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan made a statement for the press. 

The statement reads:

"Dear Secretary General,

"Dear attendees, 

"I am delighted to welcome the Secretary General of the Council of  Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric in Armenia. 

"The Council of Europe is one of the key partners of Armenia in the  implementation of reforms in the spheres of human rights, democracy  and the rule of law. We highly appreciate the support of the CoE to  the democratic development of Armenia, and we are convinced to  continue the effective cooperation with the organization. 

"In this context I also want to express my gratitude for the  contribution made by the observation missions of the Parliamentary  Assembly of the CoE in conducting free and competitive parliamentary  elections in Armenia, and emphasize that the elections held in 2018  and 2021 in Armenia were recognized as in compliance with the highest  democratic standards by the Council of Europe.

"An important tool of cooperation with the Council of Europe is the  Action plan for Armenia implemented by the organization. This format  of cooperation is of great significance both for the effective  implementation of a number of strategic programs of the Government of  Armenia and for the implementation of our commitments undertaken  within the framework of the CoE in general. 

"Today, together with Ms. Secretary General , we commended the  successes achieved within the framework of the current 2019-2022  program, and I would like to inform you that we have expressed mutual  readiness to continue the cooperation in this dimension, elaborating  a new - 2023-2026 Action plan.

"I would like to emphasize that in 2018 the people of Armenia  unanimously chose and reaffirmed in 2021 the path of democratic  development, strengthening democratic institutions, protection of  human rights and the rule of law, relentless fight against corruption  and will not deviate from it. Armenia will resolutely advance with  its reform agenda and follow that path in close cooperation with its  international partners, including the Council of Europe. 

"Dear attendees,

"Together with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, we  also referred to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the  consequences of the aggression against Artsakh in 2020, and the  issues of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  I particularly emphasized the fact that by attempting to resolve the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the use of force in 2020, as well as by  invading the sovereign territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan has grossly  violated its commitments undertaken with the accession to the Council  of Europe, and this must be properly addressed by the Council of  Europe and its member-states.

"I reaffirmed the readiness of the Government of the Republic of  Armenia to put efforts towards the establishment of stability and  peace in the region. In this context, the addressing of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is fundamental, which should include the  provisions of ensuring the security and all the rights of the people  of Artsakh, and final determination of the status of  Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Dear colleagues, 

"The people of Artsakh have the same rights as everyone and the fact  of being in the conflict zone cannot deprive the Armenians of Artsakh  of their universal fundamental rights.

"The humanitarian issues resulting from the aggression unleashed  against Artsakh - the issues of the return of Armenian prisoners of  war held in Azerbaijan and the humanitarian access to Artsakh remain  unresolved, the politicization of which is unacceptable. The  Anti-Armenian and warmongering rhetoric, physical and psychological  terror against the civilian population are unacceptable in the same  way.

"We believe that the Council of Europe, its relevant bodies and  leaders should be more determined at least in the issues of Armenian  prisoners of war and the humanitarian access to Artsakh, and put  utmost effort so that the the interim decisions of the European Court  of Human Rights, PACE Resolutions and the provisions of the  memorandum of the Commissioner for Human Rights issues on November 8,  2021, be respected.

"In conclusion, I once again welcome the Secretary General of the  Council of Europe and her delegation, and kindly convey the floor to  Mrs. Marija Pejcinovic Buric.

Thank You."