There was good political dialogue with the Armenian government in 2009, including through two Political and Security Committee Troika meetings in February and December 2009, and an EU Foreign Ministers' Troika visit to Armenia in July 2009, says the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2009Progress Report Armenia by the European Commission.

Armenia continued to align with CFSP declarations on a case by case basis. In 2009, Armenia aligned with 108 out of 138 CFSP declarations. There was good political dialogue with the Armenian government in 2009, including through two Political and Security Committee Troika meetings in February and December 2009, and an EU Foreign Ministers' Troika visit to Armenia in July 2009.

The launching of a regular human rights dialogue with the EU constituted good progress in the area of political dialogue with the EU.

Armenia took a major step in regional cooperation and dialogue with Turkey, resulting in the historic signature of the two protocols on the establishment and development of bilateral relations in October 2009. In April 2010, Armenia suspended the ratification procedure of the two protocols.

The Armenian authorities and civil society representatives participated actively in the multilateral framework of the Eastern Partnership, in particular through open dialogue and their contribution to the working programs for the four thematic platforms.

Positive steps were taken to address the internal political crisis following the aftermath of the Presidential elections in February 2008, including the Amnesty issued in June, the amendments to the Criminal Code and the publication of the report by the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Inquiry Committee.

The Mayor and the Council of Elders of the City of Yerevan were for the first time elected through a proportional system in May 2009, replacing the earlier system of presidential appointment of them.

The monitoring of trials related to the March 2008 events identified various shortcomings regarding the right to a fair trial and the right to liberty, including excessive use of pre-trial detention, the lack of impartiality and independence of judges, the use of incriminating police testimonies and of unlawfully obtained evidence, and holding of a number of trials in absentia. Four police officers involved in the March 2008 events were sentenced in December 2009. The investigations into the 10 deaths have not led to any indictments yet.

Good progress was made with a considerable increase in judges’ salaries in 2009. However, the independence of judiciary remains of concern and further efforts should be made to strengthen it. Overall, more efforts are needed to ensure the proper enforcement of legislation in all areas.

Cases of torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities and by the police continued to be reported in 2009, including in connection with detentions related to the events of March 2008 and among military conscripts, in prison facilities and in police stations.

Legislation was amended in the area of freedom of expression and media. In April 2009, four laws were adopted to amend the statutes of the National Commission of the Television and Radio and Public Television and Radio Council, with most recommendations by the Council of Europe incorporated. However, the composition and the means of appointment of members of the broadcasting regulatory bodies raise questions regarding their full independence. Following the 2008 moratorium on the issuing of radio and television licenses until July 2010 on the basis of the ongoing process of digitalization of TV and radio broadcasting, the Government released in November 2009 a Draft Concept on Switching to Digital Broadcasting, focusing on technological and economic aspects of the digitalization process. The number of reported incidents of violence against and intimidation of journalists decreased in 2009 but their investigations did not lead to any conviction.

Negotiations within the Minsk Group on the peaceful settlement considerably intensified in 2009 and contributed to enhanced dialogue, with the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan holding six bilateral meetings during the year. In addition, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries met a number of times, including during the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2009 in Athens. Courageous steps by both sides will be necessary to find a resolution to the conflict. A joint statement by the OSCE Minsk Group at presidential level during the G8 Summit in L’Aquila in July 2009 urged “the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve the few differences remaining between them and finalize their agreement on these Basic Principles, which will outline a comprehensive settlement.” However, overall tensions remain and the situation continues to be fragile. Incidents of exchanges of fire and casualties on the line of contact continued to be reported and are cause for concern."

T.P.