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The Council of Europe Office (CoE) in Armenia has always supported judicial reforms in the country, Acting Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan said in his remarks delivered at the closing ceremony of the “Support to the implementation of the judicial reform in Armenia” project on Tuesday.

“It’s best evidenced by this project launched by the Council of Europe in May 2017 aimed at promoting judicial independence, the effectiveness of legal proceedings and access to justice,” he said.

According to the caretaker minister, on the sidelines of the project, the CoE has provided support to the drafting of Armenia’s new Judicial Code, the enhancement of the functioning of the judicial self-governing bodies and the application of mediation and arbitration in Armenia.

Zeynalyan reminded that the Justice Ministry has elaborated a strategy for legal and judicial reforms for 2019-2024 and its action plan, which is currently in the stage of presentation.

“Within the framework of the “Support to the implementation of the judicial reform in Armenia” project, the international experts of the Council of Europe have evaluated the draft project on judicial and legal reforms by analyzing the key goals, targets, timing of actions, financial commitments, as well as the compliance of the measures included in the action plan with the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s monitoring groups,” the official said.

Highly appreciating the work done by their partners, Zeynalyan is confident that the recommendations made in the presented document will be included in the 2019-2024 judicial reforms program.

“Once again, I express my confidence and reaffirm the commitment of the government formed after the non-violent, velvet revolution in Armenia in May-April 2018 to ensure justice and to enhance the rule of law. I am confident that through joint efforts we will restore the public confidence in judiciary, will try to eradicate corruption and will improve the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he said.

The project “Support to the implementation of the judicial reform in Armenia” has been funded by the Council of Europe, the European Union and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with the entire project implemented by the CoE.