Monday, January 25 2021 21:45

ArmInfo. ''Today we celebrate 20 years since Armenia's membership to the Council of Europe, the most invaluable standard-setting organisation on our continent'', this is stated in Video message by Ara Aivazian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia  on the 20th Anniversary of Armenia's accession to the Council of  Europe. The message in particularly reads: 

''By acceding to the Council of Europe, Armenia joined the family of  European states, with whom it shares common history, values, and  ideals, as well as a vision of a future Europe, where fundamental  rights and freedoms are protected for all, without distinction or  discrimination.

Armenia acknowledges and values the input of this unique organisation  that has remained the main human rights and democracy watchdog in  Europe for over 70 years of its existence.

The two decades of Armenia's membership to the Council of Europe were  a period of active participation and sincere cooperation. Armenia has  now joined over 70 Council of Europe conventions and partial  agreements, essentially building legal bridges with the Member States  of the organisation. In 2013 Armenia held the Presidency in the  Committee of Ministers, steering common European efforts for  democratic action.  Democratic reforms remain a key area of our  interactions with the Council of Europe, where the organisation, with  its valuable expertise, has become a trusted partner of Armenia. The  Council of Europe, its experts, its monitoring and specialized  bodies, such as the Venice Commission, have all had a significant  contribution in our efforts to build a just and democratic society,  in devising policies that would better uphold human rights and the  rule of law. 

Armenia has been faithful to the commitments undertaken at the  accession to the Council of Europe, including the peaceful resolution  of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The recent war in Artsakh had a  devastating impact on the fundamental rights and the livelihood of  its people. We trust that the Council of Europe recognizes these  challenges and will take steps within its mandate to protect the  rights, the freedoms and the dignity of all people living in conflict  zones, including in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On this special occasion of the 20th Anniversary, I would like to  reiterate Armenia's dedication to the principles and aims of the  Council of Europe".