On January 10, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini, the head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and his led delegation.

Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian highly evaluated the cooperation established between Armenia and the OSCE/ODIHR and expressed gratitude for the Organization’s support provided to the improvement of electoral processes in Armenia.

Minister Nalbandian reaffirmed Armenian authorities’ commitment to conduct upcoming presidential elections to be held on February 18 in line with international standards. The Minister emphasized that together with the international organizations Armenia implemented large scale reforms, particularly one year before the last year parliamentary elections; the new Electoral Code entered into force which was approved by the Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR.
Ambassador Tagliavini thanked for the invitation provided by the Armenian Government to the OSCE/ODIHR to hold observation mission in Armenia and assured that the observation mission is going to be impartial.

Minister Nalbandian mentioned about the positive assessment provided by the international organizations to the last year parliamentary elections in Armenia and added that appropriate recommendations were presented for the improvement of electoral processes. For the implementation of those proposals, by the assignment of the RA President, a working group was created which has already done an important job.

The head of the OSCE/ODIHR EOM informed about the arrival of OSCE/ODIHR EOM long-term observers during the upcoming days, and noted that the observation mission would start its works in full scale. It is expected to have 24 long-term observers and 250 short-term observers during the elections.

In his turn Minister Nalbandian reaffirmed MFA’s willingness to support the observation mission.