On July 17, at 7:00 pm Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Lydie Polfer, arrived in Yerevan. Minister Polfer has come to Yerevan to discuss and collect information that will make it possible to gauge the progress achieved in honoring Armenia’s membership commitments to the Council of Europe.

Minister Polfer met with Foreign Minister Oskanian and discussed Armenia’s obligations to the Council of Europe. During a press conference held at the Foreign Ministry, Minister Polfer commented, “Armenia is an old culture but a new democracy and brings with it a legacy that makes reform difficult. Still, that Armenia has embarked on the road to reform is a positive sign, and even going through difficult stages is a cause for hope.”

Regarding Armenia's progress in meeting its membership requirements, Foreign Minister Oskanian referred to four major areas of concern. The issue of constitutional reforms, removing capital punishment from the Criminal Code, Armenia’s commitment to basic civil and political freedoms, and Armenia's progress on the path to economic stability.

On the Nagorno Karabagh peace process Minister Polfer stated, “Our concern, our wish, our hope, is that a politically peaceful solution will be found…that means on both sides there have to be concessions. My trip to this region did not diminish that hope for peace.” She also mentioned that, “much depends on the will of the Government and on the will of the people”, in finding a peaceful solution to the Karabagh Conflict.

Foreign Minister Oskanian also commented on the Nagorno Karabagh conflict by explaining the status of the talks since the Key West meetings and expressed hope that the momentum would not be lost in securing a settlement that would lead to lasting peace.

On this, the third leg of her working visit to the region, Minister Polfer also met with President Robert Kocharian and Gagik Harutunian, Chairman of the Constitutional Court.

This is the second visit by a representative from the Council of Europe to Armenia in the last week. Last Monday, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Walter Schwimmer arrived in Armenia and discussed similar issues with the Armenian leadership