Pryakhin: OSCE to Support Constitutional Reform in Armenia

“Constitutional reform is one of the commitments undertaken by Armenia at the entry to the Council of Europe,” OSCE Yerevan Office Head Vladimir Pryakhin stated in an interview with PanАRMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, “international organizations stressed that little time is left and the moment for carrying out the reforms has come.” V. Pryakhin informed that the proposals on the constitutional reform have received positive assessment by the international organizations including the Council of Europe and OSCE. In his words, there is nothing perfect and the amendments are not perfect either, however they imply a significant stride towards the development of democracy in the republic. “We will welcome the adoption of the amendments via referendum. Though it’s the Armenian people to decide how to vote,” the OSCE Yerevan Office head stated. When asked about the way the OSCE is cooperating with the Armenian government on the issue Vladimir Pryakhin said, “We have presented our remarks on a package of reforms on human rights and we are satisfied with the fact that these were taken into consideration for most part. We promote political dialogue with various segments of the Armenian society and will keep on supporting the constitutional reform.” When asked how the possible failure of the referendum can impact upon the internal political situation in Armenia Vladimir Pryakhin voiced opinion that “the amendments will receive the essential 800 thousand votes “for” via just and free referendum.” “If the referendum fails it will be the will of the nation. I do not think it will cause political cataclysms. We do not dramatize the situation,” he said adding though that the failure will damage the process of Armenia’s honoring the commitments to the CoE.