Events dedicated to 15th anniversary of Armenia’s accession to the CoE and launch of new Action Plan

21 May, 2016

On 21 May, the fifteenth anniversary of Armenia’s accession to the Council of Europe was marked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. At the same time, the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2015-2018 was launched. Among the attendees were Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Council of Europe member states' ambassadors accredited to Armenia and representatives of state agencies.

Welcoming the guests, Minister Nalbandian has noted:

“I am pleased to welcome you and Mrs. Battaini-Dragoni, for the ceremony dedicated to launching the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2015-2018 and to the15th anniversary of Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe. First of all, I would like to stress that the support of the Council of Europe to the reforms in Armenia has an important place in our multilateral relations. Armenia continues to implement reforms in order to promote democratic values, strengthen the protection of human rights and to guarantee the rule of law in general. In this regard, we are grateful for the constant support of the Council of Europe in this process. The new action plan is the logical continuation of the reforms supported by the Council of Europe during 2012-2014, particularly, in the fields of ensuring justice, rule of law, human rights and democratic governance. As in the case of the previous one, the European Union has a significant contribution to this Action Plan as well, for which I would like to express my gratitude to our EU partners.

This year marks the 15th Anniversary of Armenia’s accession to the Council of Europe.
I am confident that both Armenia and the Council of Europe consider these one and a half decades as a period of solid paces in developing relations and effective cooperation towards building of democracy. During the 15 years of membership, Armenia has become an inseparable and vibrant actor of the Council of Europe and its various bodies. In 2013 our country assumed the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In the framework of the Chairmanship, dozens of major international conferences, events, high-level visits were organised, 15th and 16th protocols of the European Convention on Human Rights were opened for signature. The Armenian Chairmanship was a success, as also noted by the Secretary General. Armenia is determined and will continue its active engagement within the Council of Europe”.

In her speech, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni underlined that Armenia's commitment to peace and democratic security in Europe is greatly appreciated both in Strasbourg and by the member states. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni pointed out that the successes achieved in the field of the reforms during the 15 years of Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe are visible and impressive.

“Armenia's authorities have continuously strengthened the protection of human rights, the rule of law, which shows the commitment to democratic reforms. It is important that one of the main aims of the constitutional reforms process is the reinforcement and promotion of human rights and freedoms”. In her speech Deputy Secretary General also touched upon the reforms implemented in different fields, underlining the Council of Europe’s willingness to continue its comprehensive support. Speaking about the reforms implemented in Armenia's judicial sector, Deputy Secretary General praised the progress, emphasising that Armenia is the only country in the South Caucasus, which has a school of advocates. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni underlined also Armenia’s successful chairmanship of the Council of Europe in 2013.

Before the event, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Gabriella Batayni-Dragoni. During the meeting Armenia's active involvement in the Council of Europe, the implementing reforms in Armenia and questions related to CoE agenda were discussed.

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