The delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, headed by Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, is in St. Petersburg aiming to participate in the 32nd plenary session of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly (IPA) Council and the meeting of CSTO PA Council. The MPs of the Republic of Armenia Ms. Hermineh Naghdalyan and Mr. Vardan Khachatryan are on the delegation.

On May 13 the meeting of CSTO PA Council was also held, during which the results of the February extraordinary session of 2009 of CSTO Council and the issues of legal provision of those results, legal provision of the project of strengthening the main events of inter-state cooperation, on migration process in the area of member countries of CSTO in the conditions of economic crisis, on the development of the Agreement on privates, security and social and legal guarantees of law enforcement bodies between the member countries of CSTO and other issues were debated.

The candidacy of Ms. Arevik Petrosyan as Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Political Issues and International Cooperation of CSTO PA Council was confirmed during the meeting of CSTO PA Council.

At the meeting of CSTO PA Council the implementation of the initiative of the Armenian delegation was highly praised, headed by Mr. Aram Safaryan, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Armenia. The council endorsed and decided to realize the Armenian initiative, agreed by the parliamentary delegations of the member countries of CSTO in international parliamentary organizations.

On May 13 the meeting of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly (IPA) Council was also held, during which the issues of participation of the representatives of CIS IPA to observation missions in certain countries of CIS, on the results of activity of 2008 of CIS IPA, on cooperation Agreement draft on anti Corruption of member countries of CIS and a number of issues were debated.

On May 14 also the meeting of the Standing Committee on International Cooperation and Political Affairs of CIS PA was held, during which Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia was elected as a deputy Chair of that committee. During the meeting, the issues on coordination of the joint activities of the parliamentary delegations of the CIS participant countries in the international organizations and on presidency of Kazakhstan in OSCE in 2010 were debated.

On May 14 the 32nd plenary session of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly was held. Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, took the floor on the agenda main issue on Formation of Legislative Core Provisions of the Policy of Modern Youth in CIS countries.

Welcoming those present Ms. Arevik Petrosyan, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, certified that the meeting would have a great role in strengthening the cooperation of the CIS countries and would promote the stable development of the CIS countries.

“I think the joint debates on youth issues, exchange of experience, jointly elaborated steps would promote the creative potential of the youth to be fully implemented.The State Youth Policy of the Republic of Armenia, which is one of the main functions of the state, is of strategic importance. It will raise awareness of youth responsibility towards national values, people and state, and youth would use its creative potential in favour of its society.”

Since 2007, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Armenia is the authority body for the development and realization of the State Youth Policy of the Republic of Armenia. According to Ms. A. Petrosyan the legal field is one of the important elements for productive realization of the youth policy. The speaker said that at present the draft law of the Republic of Armenia on Youth was submitted to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

“Youth Policy in the Republic of Armenia is realized on the basis of Concepts of the State Youth Policy of the Republic of Armenia. It clarifies and defines the policy subjects of youth and state, its principles, goals and main provisions.

 In 2007 the “National Report on Youth of the Republic of Armenia” was presented to the public. In 2008 the presentation of the “National Report” was held in the Council of Europe. The report was a basis for elaboration of the “Strategy of State Youth Policy of the Republic of Armenia for 2008-2010,” approved by the Republic of Armenia,” said Ms. A. Petrosyan. She added that the strategy defines priority towards the state activities in the area of State Youth Policy. Among which the speaker highlighted in particular the provision of qualified high education, the improvement of the social-economic condition of youth, religious and cultural education. According to the Vice President of the National Assembly all the authoritative parties have youth units. The youth NGOs have a great role for the youth in politics. Today there are 3 000 NGOs, half of which are youth NGOs, or organizations, dealing with youth affairs.

The speaker noticed that the productive realization of Youth Policy needs great financial support. According to the Vice President of the National Assembly alternative resources are also used (local and international funds, NGOs, charitable organizations and others.) Ms. A. Petrosyan highlighted the activity of Pan Armenian Fund, which realized many youth projects. The speaker also noted that the Government of the Republic of Armenia also promotes the development of international and Pan Armenian cooperation.

“The scouting movement is developed in our country, which has a history of 95 years. Each year, young Armenians are arriving in Armenia from many corners of the world. They participate in tourist, educational, training and cultural events. The Government also promotes the development of the international youth cooperation, by signing inter-governmental agreements. Joint programs, exchange of experiences as well as integration of youth to international youth movements, regional and international educational system also scientific-technical and youth programs are realized”-concluded the Vice President of the National Assembly.