YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS.  Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, highly appreciates the work of Armenia’s justice minister Rustam Badasyan and his team, stating that they are working very hard to develop the concept and strategy of reforms which are a necessary framework for separate initiatives like anti-corruption courts.

In an interview with director of the Armenian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Hrayr Tamrazyan, the EU Ambassador said what is now taking place in Armenia, in terms of the efforts aimed at improving the judiciary, is very important for the country’s future.

“As an EU we have announced at several occasions, including at the highest level during the visit of President Tusk in July, our readiness to assist and support. There will be certain, already planned events after my tenure which will enable us to know more about the programs of the Armenian partners. Our regular session with the Armenian government will take place in several weeks, the dialogue of a policy on justice. Based on my recent contacts with the new justice minister, his team and other people I can state that they have worked very intensively, spending a lot of time and working really hard in order to develop the concept and strategy of reforms which are a necessary framework for separate initiatives such as anti-corruption courts. As a European Union we always highlight that we never try to impose something to our partners, including Armenia. I personally believe that there are very smart people who really have deep knowledge and necessary technical qualities, political wisdom to develop the best solutions for Armenia”, the EU Ambassador noted.

Świtalski said the EU is ready to share the experience of those countries, even to provide experts who will be able to explain how it worked or didn’t work in other countries.

“In addition to the technical support, we are ready also to provide a financial support, quite a tangible financial support to help the Armenian government to carry out the reform programs. I think the justice reforms will be very important for your country’s future because it’s very important for the economy as well as the foreign investments. It’s important for democratic processes such as free elections, it’s also important for protecting the rights of ordinary citizens. Therefore, I leave with the feeling of optimism. Because what I saw during the last weeks, meaning the efforts of the new justice minister and his team, is really very impressive”, he said. “As I understand, they already prepared some documents, shared them with the Council of Europe and other partners. Therefore, he [justice minister] is consistent with his programs. Thus, I am optimistic. Of course, sometimes there will be difficulties. In most of the countries the judicial reforms pass with some difficulties because there is a need to combine different interests and at the same time protect the main value – the independence of judiciary. Therefore, changing the judicial system and maintaining the independence of judiciary is a very great challenge, also a political challenge. But I am really optimistic. Armenia can do that and it is necessary to do that because it’s very important for the country’s good future”, the EU Ambassador said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan