Head of OSCE Office calls upon Armenian political forces to resolve difficulties through dialogue

YEREVAN, 12 May 2004 - The Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, today welcomed the resumption of contacts between the authorities and the opposition in Armenia.

"I encourage both sides to engage in a meaningful and genuine dialogue in order to resolve, within the constitutional framework, the continuing difficulties," Ambassador Pryakhin said.

He said the participating States of the 55-nation OSCE were following political developments in Armenia closely: "Dialogue is the best means to achieve a common understanding, settle differences and promote political stability."

Vladimir Pryakhin called on the Armenian authorities to review the cases of all those detained during recent demonstrations.

He also urged the authorities to continue their efforts to reform the Administrative Code in order to eliminate the practice of administrative detentions.

"This practice is incompatible with European human rights standards," he said.

The Head of the OSCE Office noted that other international organizations were also very concerned about this practice, as reflected in a Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Resolution of 28 April.