Justice Minister hosts delegation led by Council of Europe Head of Political Affairs Directorate

Today, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Davit Harutyunyan hosted the delegation led by the Head of the Directorate of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe, Alexander Guessel, and discussed the activities carried out towards fulfilment of obligations of the Republic of Armenia after the visit of the Rapporteur Group on Democracy of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Armenia in 2015.

During the meeting the Minister touched upon the constitutional laws adopted following the amendments to the Constitution and as regards the activities of their elaboration, he attached importance to the active co-operation of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia with the Venice Commission.

Within the context of legal and judicial reforms Davit Harutyunyan represented the regulations provided for by the new draft Judicial Code, which are aimed at strengthening the independent, transparent and effective judicial system; he also referred to the activities carried out towards provision of online state services to the citizens by introduction of electronic tools.

The Head of the Directorate of Political Affairs of the Council of Europe noted that following the amendments to the Constitution Armenia implements the reforms in big steps and continues to record progress especially in the legal and judicial sector. Alexander Guessel also inquired the Minister about the reforms implemented in the penitentiary sector, in the answer to which Davit Harutyunyan underlined the activities carried out in 3 directions — improvement of healthcare services, elaboration of projects aimed at construction of new penitentiary establishments and development of the Probation service.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed willingness to a more efficient co-operation.