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Andreas Gross, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe for observation of the referendum on constitutional reforms held on 6 December in Armenia, considers text of the amended constitution as change in the right democratic direction.

“Nevertheless these procedural deficits, the text in itself in their main parts is a change in the right democratic direction. You never finalize this process, but the constitution allows you to progress further, but it has to be done carefully, wisely and avoiding potential step backs. The best security against these dangers is engaged, educated and attentive citizens” said Andreas Gross in reply to the question of Panorama.am whether the newly amended constitution would provide appropriate legal and institutional framework for continuation and finalization of democratic transition in Armenia, taking into account shortcomings identified in the observation of the PACE delegation.

The head of the PACE delegation noted that the process [constitutional reform] could have been done much better, more inclusive and more involving and informing the citizens. “They should feel as the owner of their constitution, because a constitution should be primarily an agreement among all citizens and carried by a big social consensus” concluded Andreas Gross.