Where is the Financial Support from International Organizations? 'Hayosdutyun'

‘Hayosdutyun’ newspaper writes: After Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements regarding the necessity of surgical interventions in the judicial system and the protest following the call to block the court buildings, there were concerns that international organizations would respond negatively to the developments and react harshly.

The former authorities raised a significant outcry regarding this issue, seeking the attention of international entities to what had occurred. However, the opposite happened. International organizations, including the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, the co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the EU Ambassador to Armenia, expressed their political support for the authorities' initiative and emphasized the need to act in accordance with the Armenian Constitution in this process.

The U.S. Embassy announced: “The people of Armenia have clearly indicated their support for these changes, and we encourage the government to pursue judicial reforms in a manner consistent with the country’s Constitution.”

The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe emphasized that judicial system reforms continue to be a priority, thus welcoming Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s announcement, as well as the desire to carry out these reforms with the assistance of the Council of Europe. The EU Ambassador to Armenia, Piotr Switalski, also stated that they are ready to provide Armenia with technical or advisory support for deep and comprehensive reforms in the field of justice, along with a substantial financial contribution. “We strongly support the commitments undertaken by the Prime Minister towards implementing reforms in the field of justice,” he stated.

Thus, the authorities have political support; however, it should be noted that financial support is equally important—after all, mere political will is not sufficient to independently resolve such serious issues.