YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan on Thursday met in Strasbourg, France, with Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Jean-Claude Mignon.

The PACE leader gave a high assessment to Armenia’s reforms and the positive political climate, NA press service informs. He pointed specifically to the country’s reforms in the judicial system and the police force.

Reflecting on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Mignon stressed that the conflict must be resolved solely within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and by way of peace talks. He also stated that the PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno-Karabakh does not justify its existence and has exhausted itself.  

In regard to the Ramil Safarov case, the PACE President noted that he issued a statement where he strongly condemned what transpired. As per Jean-Claude Mignon, this case will be discussed in PACE’s next session. 

In his turn, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed a regret that the process of glorifying and justifying that Azerbaijani murderer has taken on a new wave in Azerbaijan. In his words, the manifestations of xenophobia can be contagious. As per the NA Speaker, this matter concerns not only Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, but the international community as well. Also, Hovik Abrahamyan highly appreciated the PACE President’s approach with respect to the PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno-Karabakh.     

The interlocutors also discussed other matters. And Hovik Abrahamyan invited Jean-Claude Mignon to Armenia.  

Armenia’s NA Speaker will address the European Conference of Parliament Presidents on Friday, and he will have several bilateral talks during the day.