Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia received on Monday a delegation led by Council of Europe (CoE) Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, the PM's press service reported.

Pashinyan stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the government of Armenia and the Council of Europe, including the advancement of a democratic development agenda. He noted that the judicial reform is a priority on his government’s agenda. The premier appreciated the practical steps taken by the Council of Europe in support of the ongoing reforms, including the CoE high-ranking representatives’ recent visit to our country.

Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni conveyed warm greetings and the readiness of CoE Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland to support the judicial reform. In this context, she evoked the Armenia-Council of Europe Action Plan for 2019-2022, which officially kicked off earlier today. While introducing the key directions specified in the Action Plan, the official assured that the Council of Europe is ready for close cooperation in implementing the reforms initiated by the Armenian authorities.

Pashinyan said the ultimate goal of the ongoing reforms is to strengthen citizens’ confidence in the judicial system. He stressed that the government seeks to achieve real changes in various fields of public life.

The interlocutors touched upon the electoral system reform, the steps planned in this direction and other topical issues on the agenda of democratic reforms.