YEREVAN. - Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan on Tuesday received PACE Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs for Armenia Giuseppe Galati and Alan Meale.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of cooperation with the Council of Europe, presenting the priorities of the government activity and steps taken towards reforms. Karapetyan noted that currently work is underway for diagnosing the existing issues, based on which long-term steps for their solution and actions will be developed.

According to him, the short-term Government project has precisely set forth the actions, which can ensure fast results. They will be aimed at ensuring just and transparent field for business, as well as satisfaction of the citizens’ need for justice in different areas and directions.

“The Government has today taken on the commitment to implement reforms, which means that the changes have started with us. The changes should be made in the government system, economic development programs and different areas,” Karapetyan stressed, adding that there is a need for changes also in the political sphere. He also noted that one of the primary issues of the Government will be to draw out and propose a package of judicial changes also aimed at the struggle against corruption. In this regard, Karapetyan attached importance to the change in the environment, which will contribute to the reduction of corruption and risks. In his words, steps aimed in this direction have already been taken.  

Apart from this, the co-rapporteurs underscored the importance of the Government’s consistent policy in this direction, noting that the Council of Europe is ready to provide support to Armenia in implementing reforms. They also wished good luck to the country in moving forward on the path of democratic development.

The co-rapporteurs thanked the Armenian Government for hosting Syrian citizens and creating necessary conditions for them.

During the meeting, a range of other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.