Your trusted source

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was a very precious and reliable partner in conducting our activities, the Head of the EU mission in Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, told at a press conference on Monday, when asked to comment on the lack of consensus over extension of mandate of OSCE Office in Yerevan.

In the Ambassador’s words, the projects implemented by the OSCE Office, some of which were partnered and financed by the EU delegation, ‘were very useful and clearly contributed to the democratic processes, rule of law, human rights and other aspects of the mandate of the OSCE.”

Mr Świtalski referred to the official EU statement, saying from their perspective the OSCE office was stick to its mandate while doing a very useful job. He next suggested the main asset of the OSCE has always been its field presence and field activities, and the OSCE Office in Yerevan was one of the best examples of very concrete and very practical work done in the field.

“We believe that the Armenian host, partners were giving the best example of the attitude of the host country. At least from the perspective of our joint projects with the OSCE Office, the Armenian partners showed maximum cooperation and constructive attitude that was exemplary and very supportive,” the Ambassador stressed, expressing hope the projects and the activities of the OSCE Office in Yerevan would be continued in the future, otherwise it would be “a really big loss”.

“Armenia needs them. The OSCE needs them. Closure of OSCE Office in Yerevan is a big blow to OSCE, even bigger than to Armenia,” the head of the EU mission in Armenia concluded.