Armen Ashotyan: Lack of adequate assessment of Azerbaijani leadership  nullifies public confidence in international institutions

ArmInfo.Armen Ashotyan, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, met on February 23 with Toivo Claar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.

As reported by the press service of the Parliament, Armen Ashotyan  noted the importance of the mission of the Special Representative, as  well as the involvement of European structures in the peaceful  settlement of conflicts.

The Chairman of the Commission noted that the belligerent rhetoric  and anti-Armenian statements of the Azerbaijani President are steps  aimed at destabilizing peace in the region, which also reduces the  possibility of a peaceful settlement of the problem.

Armen Ashotyan also noted that sounding of adequate assessments by  European structures is a public demand, and the reverse process on  the contrary undermines public confidence in international  institutions.

Referring to the process of peaceful settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armen Ashotyan stressed that the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict differs from other conflicts in the region  and should be considered in a separate context.  The Chairman of the  Commission also attached great importance to the participation of the  people of Artsakh in educational, social and other programs financed  by the EU.

Touching upon the issues of active cooperation in the parliamentary  sphere, Armen Ashotyan noted that parliamentary diplomacy is  flexible, multilevel and legislators have an excellent opportunity to  discuss a wide range of issues.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Commission emphasized the  most constructive cooperation on interparliamentary platforms,  especially in European parliamentary assemblies. Armen Ashotyan  expressed regret that the behavior of Azerbaijani delegations in such  formats is often unhealthy and continues anti- Armenian state policy.

Referring to the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Expanded Partnership  Agreement, Armen Ashotyan stressed the importance of rapid and easy  ratification of the agreement in national parliaments.

The meeting discussed issues related to the programs for developing  the capacity of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia. The  Chairman of the Commission noted that the parliament needs the  support of European institutions on this issue.