On October 25 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly, received Mr. Francesco Bascone, Ambassador, Head of the Italian Mission to the OSCE. The Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and Mr. Marco Clemente, Ambassador of Italy to Armenia were present at the meeting.

The discussions on the Electoral Code and forthcoming general elections were at the center of the meeting. Mr. Francesco Bascone noted that the OSCE highlights the importance of holding the 2007 and 2008 elections in accordance with democratic standards and sending invitations for the implementation of long-term Observation Mission. At his request the NA President detailed the process of the debates on the Amendments to the draft law on the Electoral Code and the terms of its adoption. It was noted that the Parliament has already debated the draft law in the first reading; the voting will take place in the upcoming sitting. The Electoral Code is envisaged to be adopted in December during the last four-day sittings of the autumn session. Touching upon the issue of the invitations for the implementation of the Observation Mission, Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly explained that the invitations could be sent only after fixing the day of the elections and assured that Armenia is interested in holding the elections in accordance with democratic standards, as well as with the participation of so many observers in the elections as possible.

The Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan informed that in the experts’ opinion of the Venice Commission and the OSCE, there is no need in the expert assessment of the Electoral Code, and the draft law could be adopted as soon as it is ready. Mr. Torosyan, expressing thanks for the confidence, highlighted the terms of the adoption of the Code as well as the level and quality, as the parliament of every convocation should not be continuously engaged in the improvement of the Electoral Code during the term of its power.

Mr. Francesco Bascone, Ambassador of Italy to the OSCE, expressed his satisfaction of the process of the referendum of the Electoral Code and wished success to the process of the conduction of the elections.