Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today received Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.

Welcoming the guest, Nikol Pashinyan thanked the Venice Commission for advisory assistance provided in the process of amending the Electoral Code of Armenia. Noting that the electoral reform is aimed at creating a free, fair and transparent electoral system, the Acting Prime Minister said his government prioritizes the ongoing close cooperation with the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

Gianni Buquicchio welcomed the government’s initiative to reform the Electoral Code of Armenia. He emphasized that the Venice Commission has positively assessed the proposed amendments aimed at exercising people’s right to vote, protecting the rights of observers, ensuring wider access for the media, enhancing transparency in the electoral process, as well as fighting fraud, removing restrictions on the number of coalition participants after the first round of elections and so on. The President of the Venice Commission expressed the hope that the reform will be successfully completed in Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan and Gianni Buquicchio next discussed issues related to political processes underway in Armenia, including the holding of early parliamentary elections. The Acting Prime Minister stressed that the Government of Armenia will do everything possible to organize and conduct such elections the results of which will not be questioned by anyone.

Nikol Pashinyan underscored that Armenia is making steady progress on its way to strengthening democracy, improving the judiciary, protecting human rights and developing civil society. In this context, he pointed out that the reforms are a priority in these areas, and democracy is an inner demand, conviction and a fundamental value to our society.