Bernard Schreiner: Attaining Democracy Long and Hard Way

PanARMENIAN.Net - Events marking the 15th anniversary of the National Assembly of Armenia continue in Yerevan. November 1 Prospects of Development of Parliament and Parliamentarism in Democracy international forum is held in the Armenian capital as part of these. Addressing the forum Chairman of the Standing Parliamentary Commission for Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Mher Shahgeldyan stated "parliaments are associated with the society and play an important role in establishing constructive dialogue." "Parliament is an important link between authorities and civil institutions," M. Shahgeldyan stated. "We suppose development of parliamentarism encourages development of civil institutions. We take into account the experience of other states in the field," he remarked.



In his turn PACE Vice-President Bernard Schreiner, who also participated in the conference, remarked "attaining democracy is a long and hard way." "The referendum on Constitution will answer to three questions at once - power division, new legal order and decentralization of power. Not wishing to interfere with Armenia's domestic affairs, I want to notice these processes are always connected with danger. E.g. during the EU Constitution referendum in France not the tendency of answering the question, but the common democratic culture played the major role," Schreiner said. He also noted the resoluteness of the Armenian President and Government, as referendum is the most democratic tool to understand people's wishes. As of opposition boycotting the process, he said opposition was good when it "provides for constructiveness besides criticism." "The more constructive the opposition, the more chances to develop democracy. I am sure people in Armenia are able to solve all other questions. CE and PACE insist on actual division of power authority between branches of power in Armenia," the PACE Vice-President said, reported IA Regnum.