The primary issue of discussion of the Spring Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) during the first working day is Pedro Agramunt’s resignation. PACE delegates note there are no legal proceedings in place relative to his resignation.
The member of the delegation, the MP of the Republican Party of Armenia faction Samvel Farmanyan mentioned that there are spare solutions regarding this issue. Pursuant to him, we now face a political crisis in the Parliamentary Assembly: “In any given national parliament, international assemblies alike, the resolution of the political crisis is implemented not by virtue of legal proceedings, but due to political decisions. It is evident that Pedro Agramunt has lost his trust around the delegates, similarly within the European People’s Party – the political faction nominating him as the PACE president. The sole political possible solution in the current situation also in the result of the discussions of political factions presently is that there is no other acceptable, correct option than Pedro Agramunt’s resignation.”
Asked what other possible solutions are in place if Pedro Agramunt persists and does not resign, Mr. Farmanyan replied that they can exclude Pedro Agramunt from EPP faction and thereby make his presidency illegitimate, forasmuch as a person not included in any faction cannot preside PACE, pursuant to PACE regulations. “Therefore, manifold suchlike solutions exist. PACE has never appeared in such scandals throughout its whole history.” Mr. Farmanyan informed that despite all means undertaken by Agramunt, there is already a decision present to form an investigative independent committee which will make an investigation on similar cases in PACE. It will be comprised of 3 people –former ECHR judges, presumably. We noted that PACE delegates primarily substantiate the requirement of Pedro Agramunt’s resignation with the fact that he has visited Syria and does not emphasize his engagement in corruption scandals.
To this, Mr. Farmanyan referred: “His visit to Syria is the last drop that has made everyone call things by their name. However, the current draft resolutions existing within various national factions, have a definite reference to PACE discredit with regard to Pedro Agramunt’s inactivity or deliberate activity and he is accused of political corruption: a fact that has been insisted on by the Armenian delegation and we are glad that it has acquired a broad acceptance.”
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Mr. Farmanyan similarly informed that Pedro Agramunt has apologized during EPP faction session, but everyone is conscious that thereby he attempts to manipulate PACE delegates. Mr. Farmanyan assured that “in this situation, there is an exit as well which is Pedro Agramunt’s resignation.” Asked whether it is possible that Pedro Agramunt resigns in this session, Mr. Farmanyan answered: “I am confident that by the end of the session he will be the PACE president no more, anyway, political developments lead to that.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
