President Sargsyan meets with PACE rapporteur on ArmeniaDecember 6, 2015 - 15:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Serzh Sargsyan met Sunday, December 6, with Alan Mill, PACE co-rapporteur on Armenia, who has arrived in the country to observe the referendum on constitutional amendments, the President’s press office reports. Armenia is voting on amendments to Constitution today, December 6. 1997 polling stations opened across the republic at 8 am local time, set to close at 8 pm. The total number of voters is 2 550 323. The amended version of the Constitution would increase the role of the National Assembly, government and Prime Minister and essentially curtail the president's powers. Other changes include elimination of majoritarian voting system and full transition to proportional system of forming a parliament. According to the President, regular meetings enable the parties to discuss issues concerning the comprehensive cooperation between Armenia and the European Council. Sargsyan hailed CoE efforts in bolstering democracy, protection of human rights and rule of law in Armenia, stressing that the country has been unfailingly implementing reforms over the past years. Mill, in turn, praised the pre-referendum preparatory work and hailed Armenia’s close cooperation with the Venice Commission. 18 local and 6 international organizations are monitoring the referendum, including: CIS observer mission, CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, foreign Central Election Committees, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR), representatives of foreign embassies accredited to Armenia. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |