The 5th meeting of the EU-Armenia Civil Society Platform took place in Brussels on October 15, 2024. During the meeting, Syuzanna Soghomonyan, a platform member, representative of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA), and anti-corruption expert, presented the progress of anti-corruption reforms in Armenia.
In her report, Ms. Soghomonyan addressed the development and ensuring independence of anti-corruption bodies, initiatives aimed at improving the whistleblowing system, and the need to review legislative regulations on integrity checks and the institution of illegally acquired property.
At the conclusion of her report, Ms. Soghomonyan raised concerns about the decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan. The ALA, as a representative of civil society, considers this decision incompatible with the goals and values of COP, based on Azerbaijan’s behavior regarding human rights, democracy, and environmental issues. In this regard, ALA submitted an official statement to the UN requesting a reconsideration of the decision, but it remained unchanged.
During the visit, the Armenian delegation of the EU-Armenia CEPA Civil Society Platform also held separate meetings with various European Union officials, including Ms. Nathalie Loiseau, Member of the European Parliament and Vice Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the South Caucasus.