Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Council of Europe in implementing democratic reforms in our country. Nikol Pashinyan noted that the development of democracy is of strategic significance for the RA Government, and our nation will consistently continue to take steps in that direction.
Alain Berset emphasized the Council of Europe’s readiness to expand cooperation with Armenia to promote the effective implementation of institutional reforms. The interlocutors discussed issues related to further collaboration and plans.
Prime Minister Pashinyan referred to the discussions on the peace treaty with Azerbaijan. Emphasizing the RA Government’s commitment to the peace agenda, the Prime Minister emphasized once again that Armenia is ready to sign the agreement based on the agreed articles and continue further discussions.
Speaking about the assertion of the Azerbaijani side that no agreement can contradict the Constitution, the Prime Minister noted that according to Article 5, Clause 3 of the current Constitution of Armenia, international agreements ratified in the Republic of Armenia have a superior force over the legislation of Armenia. In other words, the ratified international agreement is higher than the law of the Republic of Armenia.
At the same time, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Constitution of Azerbaijan contains territorial claims to Armenia, but the Armenian side does not make this a negotiation topic because the peace treaty’s agreed text includes a provision stating that neither party can use its domestic legislation as justification for not implementing the provisions of the given international agreement.
Furthermore, an article in the agreed part of the peace treaty states that neither party can refer to its domestic law to fail to fulfill its obligations under this treaty. The interlocutors also exchanged ideas on other issues of mutual interest.
