OSCE Office, National Assembly of Armenia to strengthen co-operation
YEREVAN, 15 April 2009 - A memorandum of co-operation aimed at strengthening representative democracy in Armenia was signed today between the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the National Assembly of Armenia.
The memorandum defines the scope of co-operation between the OSCE Office and the National Assembly and establishes the framework for enhanced law-making procedures in line with OSCE principles and commitments. The agreement envisages joint projects to support the role of the parliament, provision of international expert legal opinions and new opportunities for improving institutional, technical and human capacities.
"We strongly support further development of parliamentarianism in Armenia and it is with this ultimate objective that we are embarking on an ambitious and multi-component programme of co-operation with the National Assembly. This framework memorandum will lay the foundation for broadening our assistance in the field of legislative reform and institutional capacity building," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
Hovik Abrahamyan, the Chairperson of the National Assembly of Armenia, added: "We reiterate our adherence to all commitments in all dimensions that have been undertaken in the OSCE framework. The OSCE and its Office in Yerevan support us in implementing those commitments, and the memorandum will contribute further to building the capacity of the Armenian parliament."
The OSCE has supported the National Assembly in reforming legislation as well as strengthening the professional capacities of its staff.