On July 12 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, the newly appointed Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and Director General of Programmes.

Minister Nalbandian congratulated Madam Battaini-Dragoni for assuming the post of the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe and expressed confidence that by her activities she would contribute to the raising of effectiveness of the CoE’s Secretariat and smooth implementation of the reforms of the Organization.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the democratic reforms being implemented in Armenia. In this regard, the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe underlined that recently Armenia has achieved a considerable progress in the spheres of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Madam Battaini-Dragoni added that the Council of Europe would continue to provide its comprehensive support to that process.

Edward Nalbandian and Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni touched upon a number of issues related to the presidency of Armenia over the Council of Europe next year.

During the meeting the sides discussed Armenia- Council of Europe Action Plan for 2012-2014, as well as the priorities of the reforms implemented in the frames of it.

On the same day the conference dedicated to the launching of Armenia- Council of Europe Action Plan for 2012-2014 took place, which was opened by the speech of Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.