Armenia highly values CoE’s role as cornerstone of democratic security and guarantor of human rights, says Vice Speaker

Armenia highly values the role of the Council of Europe and the effective continuity of its principled work as a cornerstone of democratic security and a guarantor of human rights, Vice Speaker of Parliament Ruben Rubinyan has said. Rubinyan (Civil Contract), the Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Vice President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and Head of the Armenian delegation to PACE, made the remarks at the launch of the CoE “Promoting Freedom of Expression, Media and Access to Information in Armenia” project.

He noted that over Armenia’s 25-year membership in the Council of Europe, the organization has been a reliable partner in supporting the country’s ambitious agenda. “We highly value the role of the Council of Europe and the effective continuity of its principled work as a cornerstone of democratic security, a guarantor of human rights and the rule of law, and a platform for genuine multilateralism and constructive dialogue. Thanks to our joint efforts, significant results have been achieved in fulfilling Armenia’s commitments, and these achievements are now irreversible,” Rubinyan emphasized.

He highlighted that existing and effective areas of cooperation are expanding to address current challenges and issues. “The Armenia–Council of Europe Action Plan for 2023–2026 also focuses on strengthening freedom of expression, media pluralism, and journalist safety, as well as promoting access to information in line with European standards,” Rubinyan said.

According to the Vice Speaker, Armenia has undertaken extensive reforms in these areas since 2018, and the country’s achievements have been documented by reputable organizations and civil society reports. “Nonetheless, I must say that despite these positive accomplishments, there is still work to be done to address remaining shortcomings. I believe our media also has much work to do in this regard, as many gaps still exist,” Rubinyan stressed.

He added that in a rapidly changing world, hybrid attacks against democracies are becoming increasingly complex. Such hybrid attacks, he said, are among the most dangerous and invisible forms of political struggle today, aiming to shape public perceptions, exert psychological pressure, and more. “The reliability and transparency of the information space are key factors in countering these challenges and avoiding false and harmful agendas,” the Vice Speaker emphasized.

Rubinyan concluded that the Council of Europe has a significant role and important tasks to play in addressing all these challenges.