High-level meeting dedicated to 25th anniversary of Armenia`s  membership in CE held in Yerevan

ArmInfo.  As part of the "Yerevan Dialogue" conference, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisogomonyan participated in and delivered a keynote speech at the  high-level meeting dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Armenia's  membership in the Council of Europe, entitled "Strengthening  Democracy in the Face of Modern Challenges."

The Armenian diplomat noted that, by joining the Council of Europe in  2001, Armenia made a civilizational choice in favor of democracy,  human rights, and the rule of law.

Abisogmonyan presented the reforms underway in Armenia, particularly  in strengthening democratic institutions, justice, good governance,  and the protection of human rights, emphasizing that their progress  is based on public demand. He also emphasized the Council of Europe's  role in building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, as well as  in identifying and adequately responding to threats to democratic  security.  Stefano Piedimonte Bodini, Director of the Office of the  Secretary General of the Council of Europe, also spoke at the event.

The panel discussion, held as part of the high-level meeting,  included Sari Rautio, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign  Affairs of Finland; Angeliki Kouri, Political Director of Oxygen for  Democracy (Cyprus); and Simone Papuashvili, Programme Director of  International Partnership for Human Rights (Belgium). The speakers  addressed issues of protecting democracy and promoting the rule of  law in the context of hybrid threats to democratic states and the  risks of external interference.