Current state of bilateral parliamentary cooperation and Armenia’s political situation discussed at the remote meeting between the heads of the groups for inter-parliamentary relations

At the online meeting on 1 March 2021, Prof Raimundas Lopata, Head of the Seimas Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the Republic of Armenia, and Anush Begloian, Head of the Friendship Group Armenia-Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia discussed the current political situation in Armenia and the matters of bilateral cooperation.

The heads of the groups for inter-parliamentary relations agreed that parliamentary dialogue and the involvement of the members of the groups would be useful in the discussions on ensuring the interaction between the civil society and the Parliament in Lithuania and Armenia and on determining the future of the Eastern Partnership and the role of Armenia in Europe and that of Europe in Armenia.

Photo by the Office of the Seimas

The Head of the Friendship Group Armenia-Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia was informed that, in view of the political differences in Armenia, on 1 March 2021, the Seimas Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations adopted the following statement:

In our capacity as Members of the Seimas Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the Republic of Armenia,

We are anxiously following the developments in Armenia and call on all participants in the political field to refrain from any action or rhetoric leading to further escalation. We urge Armenian political parties and movements to understand their particular political responsibility at this extremely difficult time for Armenia and to contribute constructively to efforts aimed at stabilising the situation. We call for the settlement of political differences peacefully in accordance with the rule of law and the principles and processes of parliamentary democracy;

We note the commitment of the Armenian armed forces to maintain political neutrality and obey the civilian government, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, and, therefore, underline the inadmissibility of any interference by military forces with domestic political processes or of manipulating military forces by turning them into a tool for a political struggle;

We are convinced that only by maintaining democratic and constitutional order can Armenia effectively tackle the challenges that have emerged. We express hope that Armenia will overcome the current political crisis in the country and focus on implementing urgent reforms by strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring the transparency and independence of the judiciary, effectively fighting corruption and introducing other changes, the expectation of which was voiced by the Armenian people in 2018. Lithuania has supported and will continue to support democratic change in Armenia;

We note that the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which enters into full force on 1 March 2021, is a road map towards the development of a modern, democratic, resilient and prosperous Armenia. We call on the EU institutions to consider all possible forms of EU assistance (including organisation of high-level visits, macro-financial assistance, appointment of high-level advisers, opening the way for dialogue on visa liberalisation) to Armenia, thus taking active steps to help stabilise the current situation in the country and ensure the continuity of democratic reforms.

Raimundas Lopata, Head of the Group for Inter-Parliamentary Relations with the Republic of Armenia, tel: +370 5 239 6627, e-mail: [email protected]