A group of European parliamentarians issue assessment on Armenia`s  parliamentary elections

ArmInfo. The people of Armenia cast their votes in a crucial election for their country's future and, in many ways, for the future of the South Caucasus  region, as noted in a statement issued by a group of European  Parliament members regarding the elections held in the country.

A statement signed by MEP David McALLISTER, Chair of the Committee on  Foreign Affairs, MEP Sergey LAGODINSKY, Chair of the Delegation to  the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, MEP Nils USAKOVS, Chair of the  Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Nathalie  LOISEAU, Vice-Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South  Caucasus and Head of the EP Election Observation Delegation MEP  Miriam LEXMANN, Committee on Foreign Affairs' Standing Rapporteur on  Armenia, MEP Nacho SANCHEZ AMOR, Democracy Support and Election  Coordination Group Lead Member for Armenia, was published by  McAllister on X.  The signatories congratulated the Armenian people  "on exercising their democratic rights and expressing their sovereign  will in a peaceful and orderly manner." The statement also emphasized  that the high turnout is a positive sign of growing civic engagement.

"We take good note of the preliminary findings and conclusions of the  International Election Observation Mission, which included a  delegation from the European Parliament, and of the overall positive  assessment of the electoral process, which was well-run and voters  offered a genuine choice among political alternatives, albeit in a  highly polarized environment.  The Russian Federation, once again,  has shown a complete lack of respect for the sovereignty of countries  it seeks to dominate. Its brazen efforts to coerce the Armenian  voters through open threats and trade restrictions causing economic  harm, and to mislead them through manipulative content, have largely  failed.  The European Union provided assistance to help Armenia  withstand Russia's pressure and allow the Armenian citizens to make a  free choice. We encourage further and increased measures to  strengthen Armenia's resilience, in particular to support Armenia's  economic diversification and foster EU-Armenia trade, such as through  the adoption of EU autonomous trade measures. We also acknowledge the  need for a quick progress towards visa liberalization and for a  speedy deployment of the new EU Partnership Mission.  The election  outcome indicates Armenia's choice of peace and regional cooperation,  regional connectivity, and closer ties with the European Union.  We  trust that the next steps of Armenia's electoral and post-electoral  process will bring institutional and democratic consolidation, built  on dialogue and the participation of represented political forces and  all parts of society, so as to further strengthen democratic  institutions and foster public confidence in democratic processes."  Recall, the preliminary statement by the OSCE/ODIHR on the outcomes  of the Armenian elections noted that the electoral campaign was  highly confrontational, marked by divisive rhetoric as well as  allegations of vote-buying and other electoral violations. According  to the organization, this led to numerous criminal proceedings  against opposition candidates and activists, resulting in many  opposition supporters refraining from actively engaging in the  campaign. The international observers also drew attention to credible  allegations regarding pressure on public sector employees to attend  ruling party campaign events, which, together with recently  introduced social and economic measures, raised concerns about the  equality of opportunity to campaign. Additionally, the organization  pointed out that public television displayed clear bias in favor of  the ruling party.