Statement on Parliamentary Elections in Armenia
As delivered by Acting Political Counselor Lane Darnell Bahl
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
December 13, 2018
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The United States congratulates the people of Armenia on the conduct of their December 9 parliamentary elections. We welcome the assessment by the ODIHR International Election Observation Mission that Armenia’s parliamentary elections were competitive and that candidates were able to campaign freely. The United States concurs with the international mission’s preliminary conclusions that the elections process enjoyed broad public trust and respected fundamental freedoms. We encourage the authorities to address OSCE and Venice Commission recommendations for future elections.
This year has been a time of remarkable change in Armenia. For 27 years, the United States has sought to support the development of democratic processes and institutions in Armenia, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to working with Armenia’s new parliament and government to deepen our bilateral partnership and cooperation to strengthen the rule of law and democratic institutions, combat corruption, promote trade and investment, and safeguard regional and global security.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
###
