The
secretary general of the CoE commission of Venice Jianni Bukikio reminds that
they don’t have a mechanism of using punishment and their levers are moral only.Before
the visit of the representatives of the commission of Venice to Armenia some politicians
of the coalition considering their project of constitutional amendments perfect
marked the negative appraisal of the commission as a "bear’s service",
"political order", which aims to observe Armenia and Azerbaijan from
the same angle. The head of ARFgroup Levon Mkrtchian was surprised at the last
declaration of the commission of Venice saying that their project is still in
the working stage and there are possible ways of solution in three directions
mentioned by the experts. He also has declared that as non-political and professional
the expert appraisal is as great the result will be. The representatives of the
commission of Venice declared during the meeting that they had given juridical
and not political assessments. Mr. Mkrtchian mentioned during the meeting that
the reform of the mother of laws must be correspondent to the political activities
of the country and the national peculiarities must be taken into consideration.
But he also underlined that there were good and bad national way of thinking:
"There is a serious need to reform the way of thinking, the democratic culture
of the citizens of this region not only in Armenia but in neighbor countries too."Jianny
Bukikio answering to the H-1’s question why the commission of Venice make us to
do such amendments in the constitution which it doesn’t make France, Poland, Romania,
first he reminded that the mayors are elected in France and then he mentioned:
"This is very important European criteria that the local officials must be
elected by the population."answering to the "Aravot’s" question
Jioanny Burkikio said that the commission of Venice cooperate with Armenia round
the new Constitution since 2000 but the results aren’t hopeful yet. He also informed
that their second intermediate conclusion would be published at the end of the
next week when the commission of Venice would affirm it.To the question of
"Armenian Time" if the coalition isn’t adopt the proposals of the commission
of Venice what consequences will be Jianny Bukikio answered: "We’ll be disappointed
again. And we’ll declare again that we are disappointed." Then he reminded
that the position the commission of Venice, its declarations are taken into consideration
by political bodies such as the OSCE, PACE and also EU round the policy "New
neighbors". So it is much important for the new Constitution of Armenia to
satisfy everyone." The secretary general also added: "Now the ball is
in the field of the Armenian authorities to prepare a good project. And as usual
we are ready to collaborate with them sincerely." He also hoped that all
political powers would take part and approve of the new Constitution. To "Aravot’s"
question if he thinks that they will come to an agreement round all problems including
the electoral way of the Yerevan mayor the NA deputy chairman Tigran Torosian
answered. "But nobody said that all proposals have been adopted. Bukikio
hoped, I also hope. And not only today, I am constantly hoping." And to the
question who hinders for that hopes to come true Mr. Torosian answered: "Nobody
hinders, we must work, it’s rather difficult and serious document and we must
work hard on it."Anna Israelian