New Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms and activities being implemented within the scope of constitutional reforms touched upon during meeting between President of the Venice Commission and Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan

Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan received President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) Claire Bazy Malaurie.

Minister Andreasyan emphasised that the effective co-operation established with the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission plays a key role in the functioning of an independent judicial system for implementing the legislative initiatives of the Government. With satisfaction, Minister Andreasyan stated that the existence of constant dialogue with the Venice Commission allows continuing to make efforts for quality of justice, for building trust in the judicial system and for ensuring social guarantees for judges with more confidence.

During the meeting, the parties touched upon the new Strategy for Judicial and Legal Reforms and the activities being implemented within the scope of constitutional reforms. Minister Andreasyan added that "the legal audit" of the Constitution will help to understand the future directions for constitutional developments.

In her turn, President of the Venice Commission Claire Bazy Malaurie expressed gratitude for the effective co-operation and reaffirmed the willingness of the Venice Commission to support the democracy agenda of the Government of Armenia, underscoring the importance of the steps taken and being taken for the strengthening of democracy and the functioning of an independent and well-functioning judicial system.

The parties attached importance to the involvement of civil society in the process of reforms. The parties also discussed issues related to the toolkits for disciplinary liability of judges and considered other sector-specific reforms, also touching upon the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, which will enter into force on 1 July.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Andreasyan reaffirmed the determination of the Government to move forward with the already established agenda of reforms.