Foreign Minister Oskanian received the head of the OSCE Office on DemocraticInstitutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Ambassador Christian Strohal, onMonday January 15 and welcomed him to Armenia on the eve of parliamentaryelections.

Minister Oskanian stressed that Armeniaդs authorities value ODIHRդs work insupport of democratization.

Ambassador Strohal in turn noted that the purpose of his visit is to exploreODIHR ֊ Armenia cooperation, and issues related to the upcoming elections.

Both agreed on the importance of these elections and discussed the role ofthe OSCE in Armenia, in the development of the electoral code, training ofelection bodies and in providing expert assistance. Minister Oskanian andAmbassador Strohal expressed hope that Armenia will continue to developlegislation that is in accord with international standards, to reform thelegal and judicial systems, and thus benefit the process of defending humanrights.