“Any balanced, neutral person is beneficial to Armenia”
On the first day of PACE June session the regulation will undergo changes regarding unprecedented planning of a special provision for dismissing Pedro Agramunt from the post of the president.
The decision to impeach Agramunt, engaged with scandalous corruption scandals, sharp pro-Azerbaijani and pro-Russian posture, matured in PACE long ago, when Agramunt left for Syria with the Russian delegation. In his speech Agramunt accepted that the visit was a mistake from his side, promising to resign, however, on April 28 PACE Bureau expressed distrust at the meeting in Strasbourg in PACE president Pedro Agramunt, who was to state on his resignation during the session. However, Agramunt has the opportunity to resign until June, in case of which the circulated bill won’t come into force or Agramunt won’t be publicly shamefully impeached.
In case of dismissing Agramunt EPP should nominate new candidate for the president, as by the end of the year PACE presidency is entitled to EPP. Note, PACE president is elected for 2 years. Candidates by sequence represent 5 main PACE political parties—European People’s Party (EPP), Party of European Socialists (PES), Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party, European Democratic Party (EDP), United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE-NGL).
Hovhannes Igityan, former head of Armenian delegation to PACE, member of Armenian National Movement (ANM), told “168 Hours” that it’s for the first time that PACE appeared in a situation, when it turns out that PACE president doesn’t properly fulfill his liabilities and the Council of Europe doesn’t have the opportunity to dismiss him.
“I don’t remember such a situation in 1996. This may become a precedent and there will be a requirement to introduce such a point in the regulation. Even under decision of Bureau it shows that he doesn’t resign despite he has already been banned to do anything in name of PACE. Change should be introduced in the regulation, pursuant which it’ll be possible to dismiss the president by the majority,” Igityan said.
Former head of Armenian delegation to PACE said currently it isn’t clear who will be the candidates as usually issue of PACE president is decided by parties having majority, in any case there are balanced decisions, they’ve been recorded in the period, regarding candidate of which country will assume the post upon rotation order. “Until now one name was mentioned—it’s PACE deputy president, who was rather active regarding elimination of Agramunt, it’s Georgi Logvinsky. He was rather active, Aliyev, MEPs of Poland, Denmark had principal postures, however, in all cases the president should be elected from the number of active MEPs, who are known, who are active both as rapporteurs and speakers and are known to PACE,” Igityan said. According to him in this case PACE president should also be elected by voting. According to him the issue is firstly discussed in political parties, they cooperate with one another, usually the issue is being solved in lobby work, if they come to an agreement voting takes symbolic nature, although it isn’t excluded that always some scandal will come out.
According to Igityan for any neutral, balanced person in that post is beneficial for Armenia, as it’s clear Azerbaijan’s gifts and, in some cases, bribe won’t have an effect on a civilized person and won’t change common views on human rights and democratic institutes. However, he considers authority of PACE Armenian delegation, relations with the president, finally, quality and activeness of the delegation is important.
“I don’t know from where the new parliament should find MPs both aware of the issue and with respective education and language knowledge, which is of utmost importance, as finally the delegation visits a place where two languages are used—English, French, they should comply with all criteria of European civilized democratic family member, however, recent MPs elected by preferential voting system don’t give such a hope,” Igityan said.
On account of the circumstance that the quota of PACE president currently belongs to EPP, the latter will nominate its deputy presidents, which are 6 in number. As Logvinsky said 2 candidates came to the final round of elections—himself and Axel Fischer. However, Logvinsky made a decision to eliminate his candidacy in favor of German MEP, former rapporteur on Armenian issues, currently—of Ukrainian issues, expressing hope that by that scheme they’ll succeed to record serious results.
Styopa Safaryan, founder and head of the Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA), political analyst, who as former “Heritage” member socialized with Fischer, told “168 Hours” that sensitiveness of any PACE president toward the issues will be on how active the Armenian corps is in the international organization.
According to him the world is such that no one does anything to anyone for nothing, and it isn’t so that anyone should be considered having sympathy with Armenia, however, we can surely state if the Armenian delegation sets the issue of Armenia’s interest properly, it’ll be rather active and sensitive in issues vital for other countries and will have support.
“I don’t consider that Agramunt was sold and convinced anti-Armenian, he was the one with whom we worked badly or didn’t intend to create mechanisms of restraint, that he at least didn’t do what he did regarding Armenian issues. Azerbaijani delegation will continue doing what it traditionally does—attempt to lobbying, buy people, votes, it’s another issue what the Armenian delegation will do as a counterbalance or how it’ll prevent, uncover, use, turn into a campaign, like the Ukrainian delegation did in case of Agramunt.
I personally know Fischer, I have good impression, work with people should be carried out,” Safaryan said. He believes Fischer and Agramunt are different figures. He considers Fisher is a more decent political figure. “I’d like that correct work was carried out with him,” Safaryan said.
By Araks Martirosyan
