The first Twinning program of the European Union finished in Yerevan on May 13. The program kicked off on October 14, 2009, to provide assistance to the Armenian Ombudsman’s Office.

RA Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan said during the event that similar programs are of great importance especially for such young institutions as the Armenian Ombudsman’s Office.

Referring to independence of the Office, Andreasyan pointed to financial problems. According to him, the Office should not depend on the Armenian government.

“The government should not have the possibility to exert psychological pressure on the Ombudsman’s Office, deciding for which programs the funds should be spent,” Andreasyan said, adding that the Office should be completely independent.