Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Rene van der Linden was on a two-day visit to Armenia, August 19 and 20, as part of his visit to the South-Caucasus.

He met with Minister Oskanian and the two held a frank and constructive discussion on Armenia?s fulfillment of its Council of Europe membership obligations, including Constitutional reforms.

The Minister reaffirmed Armenia?s commitment to meeting those obligations, and explained that the government was ready to work with the opposition and civil society in order to successfully accept the Constitutional Reform package which has already met with the approval of the Council of Europe?s Venice Commission.

President Van der Linden stressed that the constitutional reform referendum was a test case for further democratic development in Armenia.

He also asked Minister Oskanian to provide an update on the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process. He expressed the Council of Europe?s willingness to do what it can to help encourage dialogue, while supporting the OSCE Minsk Group process.