OSCE Office launches training programme for parliamentary staff in Armenia

YEREVAN, 12 June 2006 - A three-week parliamentary staff training programme that aims to support a more effective, professional and transparent law-making process began today in Yerevan. The course has been organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan following consultations with the Armenian Parliament.

The course is the third annual training programme organized by the OSCE Office to assist the National Assembly of Armenia in strengthening the professional capacities of its staff.

"We are convinced that the professional growth of the staff is a significant contribution to the future of the Parliament," said Frank Crump, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. "Our Office, within its mandate, is ready to continue co-operation with the National Assembly in this regard."

Vahan Hovhannissian, the Assembly's Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Armenian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), added: "This initiative helps us develop well-trained staff, which is crucial for the National Assembly's overall effectiveness."

Hovhannissian took part in the programme's opening and delivered a lecture on the activities of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE PA.

The training course targets expert staff of Parliament's four Departments: Legislation Development and Analysis, Social Policy Research, External Relations and Territorial Administration Policy Analysis. Leading international and domestic experts are invited to conduct the courses.

Selected course participants will later visit the Parliament of an OSCE participating State to exchange experiences.

The programme is carried out in co-operation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.