Updates
Press releases
21
10, 2010
President Serzh Sargsyan received the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland
President Serzh Sargsyan received today the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland and delegation of the participants of the EC Forum for the Future of Democracy which is being conducted in Yerevan.
The President of Armenia welcomed and stressed the importance of the fact that the Forum is being conducted in Yerevan and expressed hope that the Forum has become a venue for fruitful discussions. The President of Armenia valued the role of EC in protecting human rights and strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions, underlining Armenia’s commitment to the European values.
“Basic human and civil rights, protection of democratic values in the Republic of Armenia constitute cornerstones of our statehood. Since Armenia’s independence, we have significantly advanced in that direction. Nevertheless, we do realized that we still have much to do and we are determined to reach the end of that road, though the road is believed to be infinite,” Serzh Sargsyan noted.
Viewing the two-day Forum as a momentous event for both the EC and Armenia, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland said that he was happy to see that Armenia is a good partner of the EC.
“We, of course, follow closely developments in Armenia. I agree, Mr. President, that you have covered a pretty long distance on that road. The main mission of the Council of Europe is to assist the states in conquering that road, or, as I put it, that highway. I also agree that it’s an infinite road. Besides, as you know, on the both sides of the road democracy meets the scores of obstacles. And as you advance, new obstacle come into sight,” said the EC Secretary General.
Thorbjørn Jagland praised also activities of the Permanent Representative of Armenia to EC, noting that he is very active in the implementation of the reforms initiated at the EC, which are aimed at making the Council more aim-oriented and better prepared for future challenges facing democracy.
The President of Armenia welcomed and stressed the importance of the fact that the Forum is being conducted in Yerevan and expressed hope that the Forum has become a venue for fruitful discussions. The President of Armenia valued the role of EC in protecting human rights and strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions, underlining Armenia’s commitment to the European values.
“Basic human and civil rights, protection of democratic values in the Republic of Armenia constitute cornerstones of our statehood. Since Armenia’s independence, we have significantly advanced in that direction. Nevertheless, we do realized that we still have much to do and we are determined to reach the end of that road, though the road is believed to be infinite,” Serzh Sargsyan noted.
Viewing the two-day Forum as a momentous event for both the EC and Armenia, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland said that he was happy to see that Armenia is a good partner of the EC.
“We, of course, follow closely developments in Armenia. I agree, Mr. President, that you have covered a pretty long distance on that road. The main mission of the Council of Europe is to assist the states in conquering that road, or, as I put it, that highway. I also agree that it’s an infinite road. Besides, as you know, on the both sides of the road democracy meets the scores of obstacles. And as you advance, new obstacle come into sight,” said the EC Secretary General.
Thorbjørn Jagland praised also activities of the Permanent Representative of Armenia to EC, noting that he is very active in the implementation of the reforms initiated at the EC, which are aimed at making the Council more aim-oriented and better prepared for future challenges facing democracy.