Armenia at the Council of Europe
Armenia (Country Profile)
On 16 May 2013, the Republic of Armenia assumed its first chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe since its accession to the Council of Europe since 25 January 2001.
Armenia, as a nation, whose European identity has been defined and shaped by common values, ideals and heritage, confidently took this responsibility and did its best in streamlining joint activities of member States to further strengthen and advance human rights, rule of law and democracy on the continent.
The main goals of the Armenian chairmanship were:
• Combating racism and xenophobia in Europe; promoting European values through intercultural dialogue;
• Strengthening European standards on human rights and the rule of law;
• Fostering democratic societies;
• Reinforcing the role of the Council of Europe in the European architecture.
Read more about the Armenian chairmanship.
Committee of Ministers
The Committee of Ministers is the Council of Europe's decision-making body. It is both a governmental body, where national approaches to problems facing European society can be discussed on an equal footing, and a collective forum, where Europe-wide responses to such challenges are formulated. In collaboration with the Parliamentary Assembly, it is the guardian of the Council's fundamental values, and monitors member states' compliance with their undertakings.
Stocktaking of the Armenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly
The Assembly regularly monitors the way member states honour their commitments and the compliance of national policies with their obligations as members of the Council of Europe.
Co-rapporteurs' visit to Armenia
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
The monitoring exercise provides an important basis on which to enter into a constructive political dialogue with the authorities of member states in connection with local and regional democracy issues and on how the European Charter of Local Self-Government is being implemented.
Cooperation Activities with Armenia
The Congress also regularly observes local and/or regional elections.
Observation of elections in Armenia
European Court of Human Rights
Armenia ratified the European Convention on Human Rights on 26 April 2002.
Commissioner for Human Rights
The Commissioner paid official visits to Armenia in 2007, 2008 and 2011. As an independent institution, his mandate is to promote the awareness of and respect for human rights in Council of Europe member states.
