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On November 22, the RA NA President Galust Sahakyan received the co-rapporteurs of PACE Monitoring Committee for Armenia Alan Meale and Giuseppe Galati.

Welcoming the guests, the RA NA President thanked them for their work done in cooperation with Armenia and in strengthening of democracy in Armenia. Mr Sahakyan has highlighted the co-rapporteurs’ efforts, which are aimed at supporting Armenia to overcome the problems emerged in the process of reforms.

Galust Sahakyan presented the processes of harmonization of legislation after the Constitutional reforms referendum, noting that works are carried out with the involvement and active support of the Venice Commission, OSCE/ODIHR, as well as the Council of Europe Yerevan Office. The Head of the Parliament touched upon the discussion and adoption of the Electoral Code, stating that it had been widely discussed in 4+4+4 format, and the representatives of the power, opposition and civil society took part with the principle of equality. By Mr Sahakyan’s assessment, as a result of that work an unprecedented resolution of cooperation was called into life.

Galust Sahakyan referred to the new draft law on Human Rights Defender, the draft laws on Local Self-Government Bodies, on Parties and the NA Rules of Procedure, which had been in circulation, also talked about the adoption and the deadlines of the amendments of a number of laws during 2017.

In the context of reforms the NA President emphasized the full implementation of Armenia-Council of Europe Action Plan for 2015-2018, by which comprehensive institutional and legislative reforms are designed in numerous spheres. The Head of the Parliament has noted that active works are done in the judicial-legal sphere for the implementation of reforms, as well as for fighting corruption.

“The goal of the anti-corruption new strategy is the prevention of corruption in the country and the rise of trust of the society towards state bodies, as well as the formation of zero tolerance in the country towards corruption in accordance with international standards,” Galust Sahakyan underscored.

The co-rapporteurs of PACE Monitoring Committee for Armenia highly assessed the work of the RA NA Delegation in PACE both in the Assembly and in the Committees. Alan Meale considered effective the reforms made in Armenia, as a result of which a culture of having dialogue was formed among the political forces. From now on the co-rapporteurs are ready to support Armenia in further reforms within their capabilities and possibilities.

Other issues were also discussed.