As we have already informed, under the co-financing of the Council of Europe, the European Union will provide assistance of 2.2 million euros to Armenia. Four new projects are launched in the spheres of health care and human rights protection, criminal justice, higher education and elections. Aravot.am asked the Head of the CoE Office in Yerevan, Natalia Vutova, whether she sees risks in the cooperation with Armenia after Armenia’s accession to the EaEU. She replied, “Armenia has been a CoE member for 15 years. We want to work with the RA government authorities in compliance with our adopted principles. We invest efforts to carry out the European standards in Armenia and contribute to the government display political will to comply with these standards.”
To our observation why new projects are not implemented in the economic sphere, and whether there is a fear that the controversies may arise with the EaEU, Ms. Vutova responded, “The Council of Europe is mainly focused on the themes of democracy and human rights. We address the economic issues indirectly. For example, the fight against corruption can bring success in the economic sphere.” Addressing the question about possible obstacles, Head of the CoE Office in Yerevan said that it is Armenia’s political choice and as a member of the Council of Europe, Armenia has its commitments on human rights protection and ensuring democracy.
Natalia Vutova failed to answer our question of whether the financial assistance provided to Armenia has gone up or down, but said that there are still problems in establishing a democratic society, which underlies the elections and free media. Speaking about the process of constitutional amendments, Ms. Vutova noted that although the RA authorities must take the Venice Commission’s observations into account, but they are not bound to accept them in full.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
