Armenian National Platform Members Voice Disagreement in Eastern Partnership Decisions

The 24 members of the Armenian National Platform (ANP) of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) issued a statement on Nov. 4 in which they criticize the decision of the EaP CSF Armenian Coordination Council of Sept. 16, 2010, including subsequent decisions such as passing a non-confidence motion against National Facilitator Boris Navasardian, thus removing him from his post.

Other EaP CSF Armenian Coordination Council decisions the ANP Initiative Group objects to include “changing the terms for recruiting new members of the CSF ANP and envisaging the new elections in the ANP extraordinary session’s agenda.”

According to the signatories, “To overcome the given critical situation, we recommend:

“To form an organizing committee, involving the Armenian delegates of the EaP First and Second Civil Society Forums, which will be engaged in the organization of the works of the Armenian National Platform, including the upcoming regular meeting;

“To summon the Second Session of the CSF ANP within December 7-10, according to the ANP Regulations;

“To announce the recruitment of new ANP members after the ordinary session — according to the aforesaid Regulations.”

The statement was signed by the following individuals:

Armen Alaverdian, “Unison” NGO

Karen Nazarian, Armenia Inter-Church Roundtable Foundation

Susanna Shahnazarian, Goris Press Club

Artur Papian, Media Diversity Institute-Armenia

Ashot Melikian, Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Artemis Lepejian, Saint Sandukht Women Association

Nadezhda Hakobian, “Menq Plus” Social NGO

Jemma Hasratian, “Women with University Education” NGO

Astghik Gevorgian, Journalists’ Union of Armenia

Susanna Harutiunian, Association of Film Critics and Cinema Journalists

Harutiun Khachatrian, “Golden Apricot” International Film Festival

Seyran Martirosian, “KhoranArd” Intellectual Center

Arzuman Harutiunian, Audio-Visual Reporters Association

Gayane Terzian, “Barev” Educational-Scientific NGO

Temik Khalapian, “Trtu” Cultural NGO

Naira Bulghadarian, Vanadzor Press Club

Davit Tumanian, Association of Community Financiers

Avet Demurian, “TEAM” Research Center

Voskan Sargsian, “Huso Shogh” NGO

Vehanush Hovhanissian, “Meghvik” Children Educational Center

Vahan Tumasian, “Shirak Center” NGO

Gevorg Petrossian, “Biosophia” NGO

Araqsi Khachatrian, “Araks Center of Gyumri” Charitable NGO

Ashot Hovhannisyan, “Dilnet Service” Educational NGO