The newly-appointed head of the European Union’s delegation, Ambassador Andrea Victorin, attended a conference organized by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association.
When asked about the EU’s position on the crisis surrounding the Constitutional Court and demands for the Constitutional Court head to be removed from his position, Andrea Victorin said, “We have to welcome that the Armenian government is really active to introduce a strategy to make changes in the judiciary to cause reform. And this is a work in progress, so they are finalizing the strategies and the strategy will be seen by experts. I really welcome this constant dialogue between the government and civil society.”
Aravot Daily mentioned that Armenians deeply mistrust the judiciary, so the parliament has been initiating processes such as removing the head of the Constitutional Court, vetting judges, and more. Victorin was asked about whether the EU supports these initiatives or not, or if they have any reservations about it. “You are in a very difficult phase and you are tackling one of the most difficult problems. And ten years ago, I saw what it means when normal people have no confidence in the judiciary and no confidence in judges. I see a strong engagement in the government now to really put the strategy and the action plan on the road. And I want to underline once again: see the positive process. Ten years ago, I could not have imagined such a conference. So, together we will evaluate it, it is a process, but I want them to have the opportunity from the side of experts, from the side of civil society to enter into a dialogue, and after a certain stage, the European Union will be in discussion. By the way, I mentioned it in my speech: at the end of next week, we have a political dialogue on justice and there, these things will be discussed.”
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Hripsime Jebejyan
