“On behalf of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, I would like to express my congratulations to Nikol PASHINYAN on his election as Prime Minister of Armenia. I hope that the process of reforms of the new government will be focused on ensuring sustainable democratic development in Armenia, with local authorities strengthened to effectively exercise their powers and responsibilities. I am convinced that this will benefit the country as a whole. The Congress stands ready to provide further support to the Government of Armenia in strengthening local democracy in the framework of Armenia’s co-operation with the Council of Europe.”