Declaration delivered by H.E. Ambassador Stanislav Raščan
I would like to draw the attention of the participating States to the following Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union, issued on the 4th of March 2008:
"The European Union is deeply concerned about the situation in the Republic of Armenia after the presidential elections. The EU condemns the acts of violence committed during the events of 1 March, which resulted in the loss of life and numerous injuries.
The EU calls upon the Armenian authorities to release any citizens detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and to lift the state of emergency, which imposes restrictions on media freedom, the freedom to assembly, and on political parties.
The EU recommends Armenia to conduct an independent investigation of the events of 1 March and what led to them.
The EU urges all political forces to refrain from unlawful acts and reengage in political dialogue as it is the only way forward. The constructive dialogue between authorities and the opposition is very important for the consolidation of peace and stability in the country.
The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, the European Free Trade Association countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process"
