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On March 23, the deputies debated the draft law on Ratification of the Council of Europe (CoE) Convention on Access to Official Documents. It was signed on June 18, 2009. The aim of the document is to ensure the right of the access to the documents being under the ownership of the state bodies based on the inquiry presented by every person in the CoE member states, without any discrimination.

The Republic of Armenia signed the Convention on June 2020. 20 states signed the document. It has been entered into force in 11 states.

According to the Deputy Minister of Justice Yeranuhi Tumanyants, Armenia has already fulfilled the obligations under the Convention with its legislation and practice. “In the sphere of freedom of information, our country has a developed, rich and exemplary practice for other countries. Therefore, with the ratification of the Convention, Armenia does not assume such an obligation, which is additional from a legal point of view or can be a burden for our country,” the rapporteur emphasized.

It was noted that the Convention also refers to access to other official documents and is comparable to the direction chosen by Armenia in ensuring freedom of publicity and information.

The member of the RA NA Standing (Head) Committee on European Integration Sona Ghazaryan voiced the positive conclusion of the Committee. She noted that the ratification of the Convention will contribute to the implementation of favorable cooperation with international partners in the sphere.