YEREVAN. – Talks between representatives of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) and the political parties of Armenia have begun Tuesday in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

The parties will discuss the new draft Constitution of Armenia.

President Serzh Sargsyan on Monday received representatives of the Venice Commission. During the meeting it was stressed that there are no essential discrepancies as to the draft being discussed. The parties also exchanged opinions with regard to the current constitutional processes, as well as the amendments made to the draft Constitution.

The new draft Constitution has been forwarded to the National Assembly. The respective parliamentary debates are expected to get underway during its first four-day fall session. And as per National Assembly President Galust Sahakyan, the constitutional referendum should be conducted in late September.

Pursuant to the draft Constitution, Armenia will make a transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system of governance. The Venice Commission, however, recommends that the provision of a two-phased parliamentary election system in the country should be removed from this draft.