Armenia parliament speaker, ODIHR mission chief talk NA electionsMarch 22, 2017 - 17:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's National Assembly speaker Galust Sahakyan on Wednesday, March 22 met with the head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission Jan Petersen and political analyst Daniela Diaconu to discuss upcoming parliamentary elections in the country. At the meeting, Sahakyan stressed the activities of observation missions in the preparation and holding of elections in Armenia. According to him, they promote the development of democracy and the improvement of the electoral system. Sahakyan said "we consistently study the remarks and assessment of observation missions and try to implement their recommendations.” The NA speaker noted that Armenia cooperated with the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR in the elaboration of the Electoral Code, as well as in activities that sought to organize elections at a high level. In this context Sahakyan cited the contribution that the European Union made in the process of organizing elections. Petersen said, in turn, that the mission has been working in Armenia for already four weeks, deploying teams in Yerevan and the provinces. He added that the mission members have held meetings with the Armenian president, prime minister, the CEC chairman, representatives of political parties, as well as ordinary citizens. Next week 250 short-term observers and 110 parliamentarians from different countries of the world will join the mission, Petersen added. Elections to the National Assembly will be held on April 2. Nine parties and blocs running for seats at the National Assembly have already launched their election campaigns. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. EU still discussing funding Armenia through European Peace Facility Discussions continue in the EU on providing Armenia with funds from the European Peace Facility, Vassilis Maragos says. Greek-Armenian organizations support "Tavush for Motherland" Greek-Armenian organizations have expressed support for the campaign led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. |