ARMENIAN DELEGATION HEADED BY PRESIDENT TO LEAVE FOR STRASBOURG JANUARY 24

PanARMENIAN.Net - 23.01.2001, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The delegation of Armenia, headed by the President of the country Robert Kocharian will leave January 24 evening for Strasbourg to take part in the official ceremony of Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe, planned on January 25, the press secretary of the president Vahe Gabrielian announced today at a press conference in Yerevan.

After the speech of the CoE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer and the signing of the European convention on human rights and basic freedoms by the Armenian Foreign Minister, the president of Armenia Robert Kocharian will speak at the PACE session, Gabrielian said. Following this, the national flag of Armenia will be raised at the entrance to the central building of the Council of Europe and the national hymn of Armenia will be performed.

On January 25 bilateral meetings of President Kocharian with CoE Secretary General Walter Schwimmer, PACE chairman Lord Russell Johnston and the chairman of the CoE Ministerial Committee, Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins will take place in Strasbourg. The President of Armenia will also visit the European Court on human rights and will meet with its administration.

Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, Justice Minister David Harutiunian, heads of parliamentary factions and groups, Armenian ambassadors to European countries will represent the delegation of Armenia. --0--