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2009
October 1-3, 2009
May 27, 2009
April 15-17, 2009
January 22-24, 2009
The First World Conference on Constitutional Justice Organs
From January 22 to January 24 in Cape Town (Republic of South Africa) by initiative of regional bodies of constitutional justice, Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa and Venice Commission of the Council of Europe the First World Conference on Constitutional Justice took place.
Delegations of the Constitutional Courts from 93 countries have participated to the given Conference.
The Conference was original by its nature, because it was not only historically the first one, which symbolized the new stage of international cooperation in this sphere, but it also gave opportunity to 400 representatives from different continents made clear the peculiarities of guaranteeing the supremacy of Constitution, which are of vital importance for stable and harmonious progressing of social society.
President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan representing the international organization ''Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of Young Democracy'' made the report on "Constitutional Jurisdiction and Developing Society" (it is allocated on the web-sites of the RA Constitutional Court and the Venice Commission).
At the Conference the separate reports were presented by the following regional/linguistic international organizations: Conference of the European Constitutional Courts, Association of Constitutional Courts using the French Language (ACCPUF), Ibero-American Conference on Constitutional Justice (CIJC), Southern African Judges Commission (SAJC), Union of Arab Constitutional Courts and Councils (UACCC). After the general discussion of the presented reports, the special workshops were organized in nine regional/linguistic groups. On the results of these workshops the reports were prepared to be presented on the panel session to be held on the second day of the Conference.
On January 24 the President of the RA Constitutional Court made concise analytic report on the written and oral speeches presented by the delegations of around 40 countries in the united group and presented not only the special peculiarities of international experience of constitutional review in the last millennium, but also, having touched upon the present challenges, presented fundamental tends of system development in perspective, answered to many questions of representatives from different countries.
The 1st World Conference on Constitutional Justice having highly appreciated three-day discussions’ results, as well as the necessity for further strengthening the international cooperation in this sphere, particularly decided, first of all, to gave importance to the further strengthening of cooperation of constitutional justice bodies and the periodical organisation of international conferences, secondly, to establish permanently acting Bureau of international conference of constitutional justice bodies: regional and linguistic with the composition of Presidents of 9 acting groups, thirdly, to include in the composition of Bureau the representatives of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and continue an active cooperation with it, fourthly, to commission the Bureau within three years to prepare the 2nd World Conference on Constitutional Justice, clarifying topics of discussions, the venue and the dates of the Conference.
Armenia, in the name of the President of the RA Constitutional Court, during next years will continue to remain one of 10 members of the Bureau of the World Conference.
This conference includes around 125 constitutional justice bodies.
Constitutional Jurisdiction and Developing Society.
G. Harutyunyan's Presentation at 1st International Congress of the Bodies of Judicial Constitutional Control (Cape
Town, January 23, 2009, in Russian)
2008
December 12, 2008
Scientific-practical Conference in Moscow and official visit to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation
On December 12, 2008 in the Kremlin's Great hall the scientific-practical Conference was organized by the President of the Russian Federation D. Medvedev; the Conference was dedicated to the adoption of the 15th anniversary of the RF Constitution. Four main reports were foreseen during the first part of the Conference.
The President of the Russian Federation D. Medvedev touched upon the historical role of the RF Constitution adopted in 1993 and the problems, which should be resolved at the present stage of the country's legal development.
The report of the President of the RF Constitutional Court V. Zorkin was on the peculiarities of the constitutional developments and the problems arisen in the sphere of constitutional justice. The President of the Constitutional Court of Germany Hans-Jurgen Papier also touched upon the above-mentioned issues.
The President of the International Organisation ''Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of Young Democracy''', the President of the Constitutional Court of Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan made the presentation devoted to the peculiarities and basic tendencies of the constitutional culture development of the Russian Federation (see below the full version of the report in Russian).
In the second part of the Conference the reports of different scientists (app. 10) were foreseen too.
The official visit of the President of the Constitutional Court of RA to the RF Constitutional Court was continued on December 13-15. The meetings with the President Mr. V. Zorkin, as well as with the whole staff of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation were organized during that visit. Several issues on the further development of mutual relations, preparatory work for organizing the First World Conference on Constitutional Justice, as well as other activities foreseen for 2009 within the framework of the International Organisation ''Conference of the Constitutional Control Organs of the Countries of Young Democracy'' have been discussed.
Within the framework of the official visit the President of the RA Constitutional Court met with the professorial staff of the Law Department of the State University of Saint-Petersburg and made a report on “Main problems and international tendencies of the constitutional justice development in the new millennium”, as well as answered to the different questions of participants of the meeting.
The official visit of the Delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation is planned for 2009.
The report of the President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan made during scientific-practical Conference, which was dedicated to 15th anniversary of the RF Constitution. (Moscow, 12 December 2008, in Russian).
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December 5, 2008
German experience
 The number of seminars of the RA Constitutional Court was finished by the closing third one, which since September of this year has been organized in co-operation with the Program “Consultation for strengthening the legal system in Armenia” (GTZ). Two-day seminars on “The principle of ex officio examination in the Constitutional Court proceedings” were chaired by the President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan.
The keynoter was the former judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany Doctor Hans-Joachim Jentsch.
GTZ lawyer G. Muradyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan, Hans-Joachim Jentsch made greeting speeches.
Hans-Joachim Jentsch presented the essence and intention of the principle of ex officio examination and its limitations. He spoke of the disposition principle, applications filing and argumentation obligation, as well as clarified obtaining of evidences, the issue on separation of power between Constitutional Court and specialized courts, scope of review, the supremacy of the Constitutional Court decisions in the experience of German Federal Constitutional Court. The keynoter brought several examples on application of ex officio examination principle in constitutional procedure of their country.
On the second day of the seminar there were questions and discussions and it was a perfect opportunity to learn the experience of German Federal Constitutional Court, to compare their practice with our knowledge, experience and to come into particular conclusions.
The President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan expressed his gratitude to the keynoter, organizers, emphasised the importance and productivity of the seminar and expressed his pleasure for giving such opportunity for that kind of discussions. “We had the chance, - he said, - to examine the whole experience of the German Federal Constitutional Court, to discover many nuances important for the constitutional justice. The German experience will give us an opportunity to make subsequent steps for development of constitutional justice system in our country”.
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November 20, 2008
On November 20 in the Constitutional Court of the RA more than fifty students from different universities had a meeting with the President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Armenia Tomasz Knothe.
The students were interested in the European current tendencies of constitutional developments, as well as in the European integration processes. During the two-hour meeting all the questions, the students were interested in, have been totally covered.
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On November 20 the President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan received the Judges of the European Court of Human Rights Alvina Gyulumyan (Armenia) and Jan Sikuta (Slovakia).
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6-7 November, 2008
The Second Conference
It's become a tradition to organize joint activities in cooperation with the Institute of Foreign Public and International law after Max Planck (Germany) and Program “Consultation for strengthening the legal system in Armenia” (GTZ) and the RA Constitutional Court.
On September of this year the First Seminar on “Protection of human rights as a directly applicable right in the practice of constitutional justice” was organised by the above-mentioned organisations for the members and staff of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. And here is the Second Conference on “Interpretation of the Constitution”. Doctor Mathias Hartwig, scientific worker at the Institute of Foreign Public and International law after Max Planck (Germany) was invited to the conference as an expert.
President of the RA Constitutional Court, Professor G. Harutyunyan while welcoming the participants of the second Conference, gave importance to the necessity to discuss the issue on “Interpretation of the Constitution”, emphasizing that it is the most complicated problem in the practice of constitutional justice. In practice, it is impossible to implement constitutional justice without the interpretation institution. 42 constitutional courts in the world are empowered for official abstract interpretation of the Constitution, as well as laws and normative acts of their countries. The interpretations refer to both the legal content of the constitutional norm, and the discovery of the constitutional and legal content of the provision of the law. Only in comparison of these two issues, it will be possible to make certain conclusions.
Doctor Mathias Hartwig made report on “Interpretation of the Constitution and the state practice”.
During two-day conference through the comments, questions and answers and dialogues the issues on “Classical Methods of Interpretation”, “Interpretation of Constitution and the Legal Comparative Analysis” were discussed.
It was given an opportunity to touch upon all aspects of actual issues on theoretical and practical levels, certainly, taking into account the experience of the colleagues from Germany. The Conference served its essential, practical purpose to draw attention of the members and the staff of the RA Constitutional Court to many important issues, that is: while preparing any norm to examination the position of the Constitutional Court should be formed in consequence of discovery of the constitutional and legal content of the provision of a law and complex analysis and interpretation of constitutional norms.
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October 28, 2008
The working visit of the President of the RA Constitutional Court to Algeria
The Preparatory meeting of representatives of the regional and/or linguistic groups for the First World Conference on Constitutional Justice was held on October 29-31, 2008 in Algeria. Delegations from 125 countries will participate in the First World Conference, which will be held on January 23-24, 2009 in Cape Town. Participants of the Preparatory meeting will discuss the programme of the Conference, draft declaration, the preparatory works process for regional and/or linguistic groups.
On the same days, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Constitutional Council of Algeria organized an International Colloquy on Constitutional Interpretation to discuss worldwide modern approaches on interpretation of constitutional provisions. The President of the RA Constitutional Court made a report on “The conceptual approaches of interpretation of constitutional provisions in the practice of the Constitutional Justice of the RA”.
The conceptual approaches of interpretation of constitutional provisions in the practice of the Constitutional Justice of the Republic of Armenia.
G. Harutyunyan's Report at the International Colloquium dedicated to the issues of Constitutional Justice, Algeria, October 30, 2008 (in Armenian and English)
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October 8, 2008
 The President of the RA Constitutional Court Mr. G. Harutyunyan received the delegation of the Constitutional and Legal Issues Commission of the Chamber of the Czech Republic Parliament headed by Deputy Chairman of the Chamber Mr. Jan Kasal. The delegation was consisted of Marek Benda, Stanislav Krecek, Hana Sediva, Robbin Bohnish, Dana Pokorna.
At guests’ request, Mr. Harutyunyan briefly presented the foundation history and activities of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia and spoke of relationship between Czech and Armenian Constitutional Courts.
In reply to the question of the delegation concerning the right of the RA citizens to apply to the Constitutional Court the detailed information on the possibilities of the RA citizens to apply to the Court, as well as on the considered cases and Constitutional amendments was presented. The President of the RA Constitutional Court Mr. G. Harutyunyan, who is well-informed on the activities of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, brought certain similarities and differences of the functions of these two Constitutional Courts, particularly, that the citizens of the Czech Republic may apply to the Constitutional Court with a concrete case, appealing any normative act, meanwhile the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia may consider only the issue on the constitutionality of law. In the Czech Republic no deadline is envisaged for the consideration of the case, but in the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia six months are determined for the each case.
They both passed a remark, that, in essence, some amendments should be made, as the citizens could solve their problems within the country and not have to apply to the European Court, especially, where at this moment more than 150 000 cases are accumulated.
They also mentioned that the exchange of experience and return visits will mostly enhance the relations between the countries.
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October 3-5, 2008
XIII Yerevan International Conference
From 3rd of October to 5th of October the XIII Yerevan International Conference was taken place. It was organized by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe, the “Conference of the organs of Constitutional control of the countries of young democracy” and with participation of “International Association of Constitutional Law”.
The topic was: “Fundamental constitutional values and public practice”.
The conference was opened by G. Harutyunyan. He welcomed the guests, stressed the importance of the special interest to this Conference, expressed by a number of international institutions and constitutional courts from about thirty countries, as well as by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia; the evidence of this interest is the participation of President of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Serge Sargsyan, of a number of specialists from the sphere of law, ministers, MPs, officials from Procurator’s Office, scientists, professors and political figures.
G. Harutyunyan in his greeting speech particularly mentioned the following:
“For the 21 century the constitutionalisation of public relations and establishment of constitutional democracy have become the only civilised reference points to guarantee the development of the stable and dynamic public life”.
President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan, General Secretary of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Gianni Buquicchio and Head of the OSCE office in Yerevan Sergey Kapinos made greeting speeches.
The President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan in his greeting speech mainly mentioned:
“It is our purpose to establish legal democracy, bring to life the constitutional principles of establishing the rule of law and social state, to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms as a highest value, as an directly acting right. We will have more success, if we extend our cooperation with the European institutions in this sphere and if everyone and each official deeply understands that becoming a rule of law and democratic state is a vital necessity, with no alternative, for Armenia”.
In the first session of the Conference the following reporters made reports on “Fundamental constitutional values and guarantees of realization”:
President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan, President of the Constitutional Court, Member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Gagik Harutyunyan -“Guarantees of the realization of the fundamental constitutional values in the state policy level and public practice”, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Bulgaria, Representative of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Evgueni Tanchev -“Rule of law and state governed by Law”, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Albania Sokol Berberi - “Civil society and protection of constitutional values”, Member of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation Nikolay Bondar - “Constitutional values as a judicial and legal factor of solution of the social contradictions and conflicts”, President of the Constitutional Tribunal of Poland Bohdan Zdziennicki - “Protection of constitutional values and freedoms in the case of changes in the legal order”, Member of the European Court of Human Rights Alvina Gyulumyan -“Constitutional values and practice of the European Court of Human Rights”, Professor of the Department of Economic Law of the University of Sienna, Representative of the Venice Commission Tania Groppi -“Role of the constitutional court in the development of democracy in Italy”.
The first session was concluded with questions and discussions.
In the second session of the Conference the following reporters made reports on
“Fundamental constitutional values in the practice of the constitutional jurisdiction”:
Member of the Scientific-consultative Council of the Constitutional Court of Moldova Vladimir Mokryak - “Fundamental constitutional values as a factor of stability of constitutional order”, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Victors Skudra - “Role of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in the protection of constitutional values”, Director of Public Prosecutions (Ireland) James Hamilton - “Fundamental values contained in the Constitution of Ireland and their application”, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Hungary Barnabas Lenkovics - “Property, freedom, security”, President of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan Igor Rogov – “Fundamental constitutional values as a basis of the statehood of sovereign Kazakhstan”, Yuri Baulin, Member of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine – “Normative expression of constitutional values and their significance in the activity of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine”, Legal Secretary of Constitutional Court of the Kingdom of Belgium Willem Verrijdt - “Re-enacting an annulled law. The Belgian Constitutional Court faced with the legislator’s recidivism”.
The second session of the first day of the Conference was concluded with questions and discussions.
On October 4 the Conference was continued. The subject of the day was “Legal provisions of the constitutional courts and public practice” and following reporters made reports on the given subject:
Justice of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania Algirdas Taminskas - “Immunity of property in the conception of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania”, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Serbia Predrag Cetkovic – “Fundamental constitutional values in practice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Serbia”, Member of the Constitutional Court of Belarus Leonid Ryabtsev - “Constitutional right of judicial defense of the citizens of the Repblic of Belarus”, President of District Court of Nicosia, Cyprus Michalis Christodoulou - “The independency of the Judiciary in Cyprus”, Judge of the Constitutional Court of Kyrgyz Republic Chynara Mousabekova - “Constitution of Kirgizia and human rights: new ordeals”, Justice, Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic Stanislav Balik “The role of the Constitutional Court and the role of the Supreme Administrative Court in the course of protection of federal rights of parties to administrative adjudication in the Czech Republic”, Member of the Constitutional Court of Armenia Valeri Poghossyan - “Judicial power and society”, President of Tribunal of Haarlem (Netherlands) Herman Van Der Meer “The position of the constitution in the Dutch judiciary”, Judge, Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia Mario Jelusic -“Experiences in Constitutional Adjudication in the Republic of Croatia”, Head of the Analytic and Information Department Arne Mavcic - “Constitutional values in practice with a special reference to the Slovenian system outline”, Professor of Hamburg University Otto Luchterhandt – “Fundamental values of human dignity and its significance in the Constitution of Germany”.
Sessions of the second day were concluded with questions and discussions.
During the Conference effective discussions were taken place, new topics and new issues were suggested and the participants gave importance to holding of such Forums.
General Secretary of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Gunars Kutris, President of the Constitutional Court of Moldova Dimitru Pulbere, President of the Constitutional Council of Kazakhstan Igor Rogov made closing speeches.
The President of the Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan summarized the results of the Conference, expressing his gratitude to the participants for their participation and inviting to the next XIV Yerevan International Conference.
Each participant of the Conference will soon receive the International Almanac (2008) “Constitutional justice in the new millennium” published in four languages, where reports, discussed issues and topics suggested during the Conference will be included.
The staff of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, within the framework of the XIII Yerevan International Conference, realized a number of cultural programs: visit to Tsitsernakaberd, Matenadaran, Goshavank, Garni, Geghard and other sightseeing of Armenia.
Two participants of the Conference were awarded with “Golden Medal” of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia: Gianni Buquicchio for “Substantial contribution to the sphere of constitutional justice and to a close cooperation between the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia” and Amanzhol Nurmagambetov (Member of the Constitutional Council of Kyrgyz Republic, member of the Editorial Council of International Bulletin “Constitutional justice”) for active assistance to publication of the Bulletin “Constitutional Justice” of the International Organization “Conference of the organs of constitutional control of the countries of young democracy”.
The official languages of the Conference were: Armenian, English, French and Russian.
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October 2, 2008
On October 2, in the evening a reception-meeting was organized in “Ani Plaza” hotel. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia traditionally organizes such reception-meeting for introduction of the participants to each other. This year reception-meeting concurred with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of International Bulletin “Constitutional Justice” (in Russian).
President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan welcomed the guests and briefly presented motives given rise to the creation, the role and significance of the Bulletin.
Guests from Latvia
October 1, 2008
 The delegation, headed by President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia Gunars Kutris, by the invitation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, paid an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.
President of the Constitutional Court of the RA G. Harutyunyan received the delegation. As the Latvian colleagues had already participated to the last year Yerevan International Conference, there was no need to present them the information on establishment and activities of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. They discussed the news, particularly the cases having great resonance, as well as the work done in the field of the constitutional justice in these two countries during the past year.
Afterwards, the guests met with the staff of the Constitutional Court of the RA in the hall after Shahamir and Hakob Shahamiryan. G. Harutyunyan briefly presented practical relations, exchange of experience as in past, as well as in upcoming meetings, exchange of information and mainly on strengthening the cooperation between these two courts. Latvian colleagues presented their Collection of the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Latvia as a gift to the members of the Constitutional Court of the RA.
The guests also visited the Yerevan State University, met with the members of scientific council and magistracies of the Law faculty. Afterwards they visited the museum after Parajanov.
October 2, 2008
The President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan received the delegation of Latvian Constitutional Court accompanied by G. Harutyunyan. The President of the Republic of Armenia touched upon Armenian-Latvian relationship, gave importance to the close cooperation between these two constitutional courts, and appreciated such communications that brought to life new ideas and initiatives.
The delegation also visited the scientific-research Institute of old manuscripts after Mesrop Mashtots and the Memorial to the victims of Armenian Genocide.
The delegation jointed the delegates from different countries of the world participating to the XIII Yerevan International Conference.
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September 23-24, 2008
The delegation, headed by the Hans-Jurgen Papier, President of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, by the invitation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, paid an official visit to the Republic of Armenia.
The delegation met with the staff and the members of the Constitutional Court of the RA. President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan welcomed the guests and mainly mentioned that these two constitutional courts cooperated with each other for a long time, more effectively during last years, and this week was declared as a German week.
“We are well acquainted with the Federal Law on the Constitutional Court and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany, - said Mr. G. Harutyunyan, - and today we have a good opportunity to really communicate with the people, who are called to protect the Constitution and exercise constitutional justice in their country. The attention of many countries is directed to Germany, as the German Constitutional Court, which is established in 1951 and has more than fifty years history, has a classic system, a completed and an effective one, finding solutions which are of great interest for young democracies. Such meetings are very important for us, for clarification of our approaches and for using the German leading experience.
G. Harutyunyan also mentioned that among 110 Constitutional Courts of the world, the German Constitutional Court is one of the rarest courts which implemented a very important principle, that is - in Germany each act of constitutional institute is an object of constitutional control. It means that in Germany there is no institute, the constitutionality of legal act of which will not be possible to appeal, including the courts. This is a very important circumstance for nowadays legal globalization: Germans solve their internal issues inside of their country”.
They also discussed the issues on solutions of disputes on constitutional powers. Mr. Papier introduced the particulars on practical implementation of Point 1, Article 93 of the Constitution of Germany that referred to the interpretation of the Constitution. “It is a very important power, which, for the first time, was determined in the Basic Law of Germany”.
During the meeting they basically spoke of individual complaints and Mr. Papier informed that the individual complaints form the greater part of discussed cases - almost 6000 complaints per a year (they are mainly against court decisions). Mr. Papier was awarded by Golden Medal of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia for contribution to the sphere of constitutional justice and successful cooperation between two constitutional courts. Mr. Harutyunyan mentioned that such meetings will not only promote a more effective use of our legislative possibilities, but also to point out the logics of their further development.
Mr. Papier, in his turn, made the Collection of the principal adopted decisions of the Constitutional Court and newly published Informational Brochure on the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany as a present to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia.
On September 23, the President of the Republic of Armenia Serge Sargsyan received the delegation headed by Mr. Hans-Jurgen Papier, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany and accompanied by G. Harutyunyan.
The President of the Republic of Armenia touched upon the Armenian-German interrelations, stresses the importance of a close cooperation between these two constitutional courts.
This very day, the Prime-Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Tigran Sargsyan received the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany. In the evening in honour of the guests an official reception was organised by the President G. Harutyunyan. This evening the German delegation, the members of the Constitutional Court and many officials of the Republic of Armenia also celebrated 10th anniversary of International Bulletin “Constitutional justice” published in Russian.
On September 24, the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany accompanied by G. Harutyunyan visited the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin. Last day, the delegation visited Matenadaran (the scientific-research Institute of old manuscripts), Garni and Geghard. Participation to the spiritual concert in Geghard was a good surprise for the delegation.
During the whole official visit the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Federal Republic of Germany was accompanied by Andrea Wiktorin, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia.
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September 18-19, 2008
Enlarged international relations
By the initiative of the Institute of Foreign Public and International law (Germany) after Maks-Plank and Program “Consultation for strengthening the legal system in Armenia” (GTZ), a Seminar on “Protection of human rights as a directly applicable right in the practice of constitutional justice” was organised for the members and staff of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia and was took place on September 18-19, in Yerevan. Institute of Foreign Public and International law was presented by Professor Jochen Frovein, the former Vice-President of the European Commission on Human Rights. Grigor Mouradyan, Lawyer of the Program (GTZ) introduced the German guests to the participants of the Seminar, as well as presented the program and the purposes of holding the given Seminar. The sessions of the first day of the Seminar were chaired by G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the RA. During the sessions the topics on “Interpretation and implementation of the Convention on Human Rights by the Constitutional Courts”, “The guarantees for rule of law”, “Protection of private and family life”, “Democracy” were discussed.
The sessions of the second day of the Seminar were chaired by Jochen Frovein. During the sessions the topics on actual separate fundamental issues, on constitutional and procedural constitutional law, particularly “Deprivation of human rights”, “Constitutional complaints against action and inaction” and etc were discussed.
After seminar Jochen Frovein visited the Constitutional Court of the RA. At the guest's request Mr. G. Harutyunyan presented the history of establishment and activity of the Armenian Constitutional Court. Mr. Frovein also visited the library, the court-session hall, the consultative room, as well as the internet department, where he got acquainted with the materials of the Constitutional Court web-site. Mr. Harutyunyan as a gift presented to a guest a MP3 Disc, a program developed by the Constitutional Court of RA, where 150 Constitutions of the world and the comparative analyses of which are included. The International Association of Constitutional Law recognised it as an important program and placed it on its web site.
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1-4 September, 2008
The President of the Constitutional Court of the RA in South Korea
 The delegation of the Constitutional Court of the RA, headed by the President of the Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan, paid an official visit to Seoul from 1st to 4th of September 2008 by the invitation of the Constitutional Court of South Korea. The delegation was consisted of the Constitutional Court Member Kim Balayan, and Adviser Eghishe Kirakosyan. In the symposium on “Separation of powers and constitutional adjudication in the 21st Century” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court of South Korea the delegates from constitutional courts and equivalent institutions of more than 50 counties participated.
G. Harutyunyan was invited as the President of the “Conference of the organs of cconstitutional control of the countries of young democracy”. G. Harutyunyan made a presentation on “Constitutional culture of the 21st Century and Challenges for constitutional adjudication”.
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July 22, 2008
On July 22, President of the RA Constitutional Court Mr. G. Harutyunyan received Charles Lonsdale, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
At the guest's request, Mr. Harutyunyan presented the necessity of foundation and function of the Constitutional Court of the RA, constitutional reforms, enlargement of the subjects entitled to apply to the Constitutional Court after the adoption of the new Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Constitutional Court” and reorganization of working activity. The possibility of the citizens to apply to the Constitutional Court is a great achievement. 8.5% of more than 3000 applications, filled during last two years, referred to the constitutionality and in consequence of their examination more than ten laws were recognized unconstitutional.
Interlocutors stressed the importance of the adoption of new laws proceeding from the Constitution, of the necessity of solving the issues on improvement of electoral legislation, as a result of which “Elections should solve the problems and not create them”.
The guest was informed about the upcoming events to be organised by the Armenian Constitutional Court: seminar to be held in cooperation with German Federal Constitutional Court, next traditional Yerevan International Conference to be held in cooperation with the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe.
At the end, they both set hope that such meetings and exchange of information will assist to the development of democratic processes in Armenia.
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July 5, 2008
RA Constitution’s Day
Every year the RA Constitutional Court and Centre of Constitutional Law organize a reception dedicated to the adoption of the RA Constitution. This specialized institute of constitutional control is called to harmoniously carry legislative, executive and judicial powers’ responsibilities set up in the Constitution, to provide the constitutionality of normative acts, to create a stable guarantee for human and citizen’s rights and freedoms, to establish the supremacy of law. The Head of President Administration Hovik Abrahamyan, General Prosecutor Aghvan Hovsepyan, Minister of Justice Gevorg Danielyan, Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, Minister of Emergency Mher Shahgeldyan, Minister of Transport and Communication Gourgen Sargsyan, Head of the OSCE office in Yerevan Sergey Kapinos, Extraordinary and Plenipontentiary Ambassador of Germany in Armenia Mrs. Andrea Wiktorin, Extraordinary and Plenipontentiary Ambassador of Ukraine in Armenia Olexander Bozhko and other high-ranking officials, lawyers, representatives of Media Mass participated to this event.
President of the Council of the Centre of Constitutional Law, Professor G. Harutyunyan first of all congratulated the guests on the occasion of the adoption of the RA Constitution. The main topic of discussion was re-thinking the boundaries of constitutional law. It was a good chance for the journalists to ask and get answers on the questions regarding the role and significance of the Constitution. Answering to the questions of journalists’, the President G. Harutyunyan also presented a few upcoming important events to be organised by the Constitutional Court and the Centre of Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia.
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June 19-20, 2008
The delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia
 On June 19-20, in Batumi (Republic of Georgia) a conference was organized by the initiative of the Constitutional Courts of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia and with support of Technical Cooperation Agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The topic of discussion was: “Constitutional justice and the rule of law state in Southern Caucasus”. Besides the members of these three Southern Caucasus constitutional courts, the delegations from Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Turkey, Poland, free experts and constitutionalists participated to the Conference. During these two days the participants discussed the following issues:
a) the role of constitutional justice in establishing the rule of law state: the constitutional court as legislative body, relations with the courts of the fist instance;
b) constitutional complaint, preconditions of complaints’ acceptance, scope of consideration;
c) experience of constitutional amendments in neighbor countries;
d) selected issues on constitutional justice in Southern Caucasus: dissenting opinion, implementation, press and society, result.
During the Conference the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan made a report on “Individual complaints in Armenia: experience and issues”. He, particularly, introduced the institute of an individual complaint in the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the significant differences of relevant powers of the constitutional courts of Azerbaijan and Georgia. Afterwards, he touched upon the amendments of the RA Law “On the Constitutional Court” after constitutional amendments in Armenia, as well as the issues of further improvement of the system of an individual complaint.
After the reports not only the active discussions on accumulated experience on constitutional justice in Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Turkey, Poland, Germany took place, but also there were suggested the conceptual approaches of system reforms. The participants reached an agreement to give a periodical nature to the joint discussions on constitutional courts of the Southern Caucasus states.
April 16, 2008
The President of the RA Constitutional Court Mr. G. Harutyunyan received the expert of the Venice Commission Simona-Granata Mengine, OSCE/ODHIR experts Denis Petite and Nil Jarman: they were accompanied by the Head of the Yerevan office of the Representation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos. The experts were in Armenia to participate in the discussions dedicated to the proposals of the Venice Commission Opinion on the amendments to the RA Law on «Holding of assemblies, meetings, manifestations and demonstrations» adopted on March 17, 2007.
Mr. Harutyunyan, being the member of the Venice Commission, and consequently informed on discussions' results, set hope that the experts and the RA National Assembly will come into a common conclusion and the legislative amendments will be in favour of strengthening the democratic principles in Armenia. They both attached importance to the necessity of system reforms, especially they noted that it should be paid attention to the constitutional values in order the elections will not make only the problems, but will promote to the problems solving.
April 4, 2008
 On April 4, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Ali Saghayan. The visit of the new-appointed Ambassador was cognitive, and they basically spoke of Constitutional Court activity, practical relations between the RA Constitutional Court and the Guardian Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran, relationship between these two countries and issues regarding of its strengthening.
March 6, 2008
On March 6, the second time this year, the head of the observation mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe John Prescott visited the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan. They spoke of the application of the RA presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossyan submitted to the RA Constitutional Court.
February 4, 2008
 On February 4, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received Legal analyst of the OSCE/ODHIR electoral observation mission Karen Gainer at the latter’s request. Mrs. Gainer requested from the President of the Constitutional Court some additional clarifications on the issues discussed during the previous visit (January 31), which were regarding the amendments made to the Constitutional Court activity after constitutional reforms, explanations of some articles of the RA Electoral Code.
January 31, 2008
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received the Head of the OSCE/ODHIR election observation mission, Ambassador Gert-Arens, who was accompanied by the Legal analyst of the mission Karen Gainer.
By the guests’ request, G. Harutyunyan gave clarifications on the examination pecularities of electoral disputes arisen after the RA constitutional amendments and, in this regards, on the Constitutional Court powers prescribed by the Article 100, Point 3.1 of the RA Constitution (shall rule on disputes concerning the results of the RA presidential and parliamentary elections).
During the conversation, they touched upon the whole system of judicial protection of electoral right and the new role of Administrative Courts in this regard.
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January 29, 2008
On January 29 the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received the Head of the observation mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe John Prescott and the delegation headed by him.
By the guests’ request, the President of the Constitutional Court represented the pecularities of judicial protection of electoral right arisen in consequence of constitutional and legislative amendments and the present acting order in the Republic of Armenia
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2007
December 3
G. Harutyunyan received Jorge Colombier, Co-reporter of Monitoring Group of Parliamentary Assembly of European Council and delegation accompanied him.
The guest was basically interested in acceptance and examination procedures of application of citizens applying to the Constitutional Court in the upcoming presidential elections with regard to present situation of legislative sphere and received detailed, exhaustive information.
They both set hope, that the upcoming presidential elections will be held within the framework of legislature, which is an important stage for the state in a democratic transition.
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November 21
G. Harutyunyan received Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the new-appointed head of OSCE office in Armenia. Mr. Harutyunyan put the guest up to the Constitutional Court activity, the new RA Law “On Constitutional Court” adopted after the constitutional reforms. At guest’s request, G. Harutyunyan represented the procedure of examination of applications filed to the Court, brought examples from the cases heard and appropriate decisions. They both set hope, that the court such activity will noticeably diminish the number of applications filed from Armenia to the European Court of Human Rights.
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October 10
G. Harutyunyan received Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe and Alexander Gousel, Head of Commissioner’s office.
They both attached importance to the priority to solve issues on human rights protection and improvement of legislative sphere for having constitutional justice.
October 5-6
XII Yerevan International Conference on «International experience of the cooperation between constitutional courts and ombudsmen in the field of ensuring and protection of human rights" took place on October 5-6, 2007 to which President of European Court of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa, Chairman of European Region of International Ombudsman Institute Peter Kostelka and delegates from 30 countries of the world participated.
Organizers of the Conference were:
Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia,
Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia,
European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe, International Organization “Conference of the Organs of Constitutional Control of the Countries of Young Democracy”.
The Conference was held by the support of OSCE, UNDP and Bureau of UNESCO in Moscow.
President of the Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan, President of European Court of Human Rights Jean-Paul Costa, Secretary General of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe G. Buquicchio and Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia A. Harutyunyan made opening speeches.
During two-days conference presidents, members of constitutional court and ombudsmen from Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Russian Federation, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Armenia, Macedonia, Georgia, Slovak Republic, Belarus, Kyrgyz Republic, Sweden, Andorra, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Portugal, Estonia made reports on «International experience of the cooperation between constitutional courts and ombudsmen in the field of ensuring and protection of human rights"
The official languages of the Conference were Armenian, English, French and Russian.
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October 4
Jean-Paul Costa, President of the European Court of Human Rights visited the RA Constitutional Court and met with the members and the staff of the Court. Mr. Costa visited to the Republic of Armenia on invitation of Mr. G. Harutyunyan. Having represented the guest, Mr. Harutyunyan expressed his gratitude to Mr. Costa for accepting the invitation and participation in the XII Yerevan International Conference and attached importance to the long standing cooperation between RA Constitutional Court and European Court of Human Rights. Mr. Costa briefly represented European Court’s activity drawing attention to the efficiency of national court institutions’ work, as a result of which many issues concerning protection of human rights will find solutions in these institutions and a number of applications filled from given state will be diminished.
On October 5, Mr. Costa participated to the XII Yerevan International Conference on «International experience of the cooperation between constitutional courts and ombudsmen in the field of ensuring and protection of human rights" and made greeting speech.
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September 16-22
President of the Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan abroad
Presidents of the Constitutional Courts of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan were invited to Germany within the frameworks of “Justice and judicial reforms” program, which was took place on October 16-22.
Meetings, discussions on actual issues held in the Supreme Federal Court and Federal Constitutional Court of different towns of Germany (Judicial system of Germany is straggled all around of the state). They held quadrilateral discussion on constitutional courts activity, which gave a wide opportunity to get acquainted with the ways of acceptance of applications, court hearings and exchanging of experience.
President of the RA Constitutional Court Gagik. Harutyunyan suggested President Hans-Jurgen Papier together with the judges of the Federal Constitutional Court to pay visit to the Republic of Armenia. The invitation was accepted with great pleasure.
Meetings of the Presidents of the Constitutional Courts of these three Caucasus states were continued in Ministries of Justice, Economical Development and Cooperation, and in Bundestag (Berlin).
The delegation also visited the places of interests, historical-cultural centers and museums of Germany.
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July 4
RA Constitution’s Day
Every year RA Constitutional Court and Centre of Constitutional Law organize reception dedicated to the adoption of the RA Constitution. On October 4 the Constitutional Court invited high-ranking officials, Chairmen of Standing Commissions of the RA National Assembly, politicians and lawyers.
Professor G. Harutyunyan, President of the Council of Centre of Constitutional Law, Doctor of Law, first of all congratulated the guests on occasion of adoption of the RA Constitution and made brief report dedicated to 7 World Congress of International Association of Constitutional Law held on June 11-16 in Athens, where more than 500 participants from 70 countries participated. The main topic of discussion was re-thinking boundaries of constitutional law. Then G. Harutyunyan briefly touched upon those discussions, where principal commitments of constitutional developments in the world, their activity and particularities, new calls for constitutionalization of public relations have been discussed.
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July 3
G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court received delegation of AGO Group of Ministers’ Monitoring Committee of External Relations of the Council of Europe headed by Pier Syogren, Ambassador of Sweden in the Council of Europe. The guests were interested in issues concerning RA Constitutional Court activity after constitutional reforms, particularly in acceptance and examination procedures of individual applications, as well as in collaboration of the RA Constitutional Court with the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission).
11-15 June
 The VII World Congress of IACL was took place on June 11-15 in Athens, where more than 500 delegates from 70 countries participated. The basic topic was “Re-thinking boundaries of constitutional law”.
June 21
Mrs. Heike Renate Paych, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Germany in the Republic of Armenia took farewell visit to G. Harutyunyan, President of RA Constitutional Court.
During her 3 years officiating (since August 24), she visited to RA Constitutional Court for several times, held discussions with Mr. Harutyunyan on issues regarding constitutional reforms in Armenia, creation of Electoral Code, improvement of electoral system and constitutional justice. They both set hope that Armenian-German cooperation will be effectively developing in future.
2006
October 11
G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court, received Guy De Vel, Director General of Legal Affaires, Mrs. Bojana Urumova, Special representative of the Secretary of the Council of Europe: they were accompanied by Mrs. Narine Nikolyan, Head of the European Department of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affaires.
The basic subject of discussion was on adoption of the Law on the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, particularly, with regard to enlargement of a number of subjects eligible to apply to Constitutional Court, which is undoubtedly very positive and noticeable change in the Constitutional Court activity.
October 7
Gaining of Experience before the Elections
Since the first year of formation (February 6, 1996) of the RA Constitutional Court, organizing the Annual Yerevan International Conference in cooperation with the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission) has become a new tradition. Subject of the first Conference (held on 16-18, 1996) was “Constitutional Control and Democracy processes in the new independent countries”. This topic was nonrandom chosen, because the finding (using the experiences of other countries) of ways for constitutional justice establishment was urgent for the State formation.
One year later the International Organization “Conference of Organs of Constitutional Control of the Countries of Young Democracy” has been established, the activity of which was coordinated by the RA Constitutional Court.
On October 5
the 11th Yerevan International Conference titled “Role of Constitutional Courts towards Ensuring Democratic Elections” took place. The topic was an actual one, because the Republic of Armenia was on the threshold of presidential and parliamentary elections and the international experience in this field was very important.
As a whole, during the Conference the participants made very interesting reports. They presented the experience of European countries, the ways, which are useful for the colleagues. Nicolay Bondar (Russian Federation), Marian Grzybowski (Poland), Peter Kovacs (Hungary), Lubomir Dobrik (Slovak Republic), Felix Tokhyan (Armenia) and others made reports and presented the experience of their constitutional courts and through discussions compared the experience, approaches and nuances of examination of cases of the given countries.
September 26
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received Gael Martin-Micallef, Specialist of Division on Elections and Referendums of the Venice Commission. They spoke of cooperation between the RA Constitutional Court and Venice Commission, particularly with regard to organization and holding of International Conference.
September 25
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received Sonya Smith, Head of Aba mission in the Republic of Armenia. During the meeting they discussed a situation of the RA Constitutional Court raised after adoption of the Law on Constitutional Court (with regard to the enlargement of subject eligible to apply to the Court) and as co-organizers they also discussed the issues regarding organization of the traditional 11th Yerevan International Conference. Once again, taking the opportunity, Sonya Smith expressed her gratitude for having chance to participate and make an opening speech during the 11th Yerevan International Conference.
September 25
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia G. Harutyunyan received Susan Rutledge, Regional Corporate Governance Coordinator of Europe and Central Asia Region: she was accompanied by Karen Grigoryan, Coordinator of Regional Government in Armenia. Susan Rutledge presented the picture of Economic development in Armenia, getting from her own studies result, which in her opinion, is unsatisfactory.
They both set hope that there will be possible ways to develop the economy of the country in the future. Mr. Harutyunyan considered that this development will be possible and attached an importance to perspectives of democracy, especially, to establishment of constitutional democracy.
July 4
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia celebrated the 11 years of adoption of Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.
On July 4, a day before celebration of the adoption of the RA Constitution, a presentation with participation of high-ranking officials, politicians and jurists took place in the RA Constitutional Court. President of the RA Constitutional Court, Doctor of Law, Professor G. Harutyunyan presented brief report on “Constitutional amendments and Constitutional Justice in the Republic of Armenia”. Minster of Justice of the RA D. Harutyunyan and Ombudsman of the RA A. Harutyunyan have also made speeches during this presentation.
June 5
 In the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Russian Federation, it took place a presentation of co-authorised written book ”Constitutional basic notions in encyclopaedic dictionary” of G. Harutyunyan and M. Baglay, which had been published by “Norma” Moscow publishing-house.
June 2
Constitutional Court member V. Hovhannisyan was awarded with “Symbol of Constitutional Justice” medal for his faultless work in the position of Vice-President of the RA Constitutional Court. According to the new the RA Law on Constitutional Court, the Vice-President’s position is abolished.
February 6
The RA Constitutional Court organised a presentation dedicated to the 10 years of Constitutional Court formation.
President of the RA Constitutional Court G. Harutyunyan greeted the guests and presented a brief report on passed way and further tasks of the Constitutional Court, particularly, on the made and future amendments in the Constitutional Court functions, requested by the amended RA Constitution and the RA Law on Constitutional Court.
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CHRONICS
On February 6, 1996, the RA Constitutional Court was formed. It was the first unprecedented institution in Armenian reality, which was called to guarantee the constitutional justice and affirm the supremacy of law.
During 10 years of its existence, the RA Constitutional Court made progresses, especially, in elaboration of conceptual approaches on issues of constitutional justice and in contribution of advanced experience of similar institutions.
Opinions on the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia
Luzius Wildhaber, President of the European Court of Human Rights:
“International Conferences experience that has the RA Constitutional Court is very instructive: correct selection of topics, representative participation, wide use of methods of spread of experience. This all is very rich and useful experience for us. Thanks to the RA Constitutional Court, we had opportunity to get deeply acquainted with Armenian people, its culture and history”.
Rene van der Linden, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:
“We express our gratitude for periodically providing us with wide analytic information: it’s a great assistance for the Committee on Legal issues and Human Rights” of the Assembly”.
Egidijus Kuris, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania:
“Today we can proudly mention that in the name of the RA Constitutional Court, Armenia has become one of acknowledged international centres on constitutional justice issues”.
Hans Gameltoft-Hansen, Parliamentary Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Denmark:
“I am well acquainted with the RA Constitutional Court activity, particularly, with the efforts of the RA Centre of Constitutional Law, which promote to guarantee constitutional justice in the country. The co-authorised book “The Constitutional Review and its development in the modern world (a comparative constitutional analysis)” of G. Harutyunyan, President of the RA Constitutional Court and Arne Mavcic, Adviser to the Constitutional Court of Slovenia, Head of Legal-Informational Centre, is an unprecedented publication and a method itself of widely spread of experience and example of international recognition”.
Gianni Buquicchio, Secretary of the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission):
“Thanks to the RA Constitutional Court activity, Armenia has become a school of democracy and experience of constitutional control. We have suggested in the Venice Commission to create an Internet Forum, trough which all the Constitutional Courts will have opportunity to negotiate, debate to each other, spread and receive information on the precedent experience regarding considered cases arisen before their courts. We were surprised when we knew that such program has already been prepared by the RA Constitutional Court. It means that there is a possibility to be immediately contacted, if during an examination of similar cases there is a necessity to be informed on decisions taken by other Constitutional Courts”.
Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court:
“The Constitutional Court is a specialised institute of constitutional control, which is the result of independence of the Republic of Armenia and one of the important achievements of democracy, which is called to exercise duties of legislative, executive and judicial powers set forth by the Constitution, to provide the constitutionality of normative acts, to create guarantees for protection of human and citizens’ rights and freedoms”.
Formation process of the RA Constitutional Court
Since the first year of its formation, the Constitutional Court took serious steps in constitutional justice affirmation: i.e. to learn and spread the advanced experience of European countries. Consequently, the Court has become a member of the European Commission “For Democracy through Law” of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission). One year later, in October, the International Organization “Conference of the organs of constitutional control of the countries of young democracy” has been established, the activity of which was coordinated by the RA Constitutional Court. Since 1998, given Organization publishes “Constitutional justice in a new millennium” International Almanac (published in four languages) and G. Harutyunyan is the Chairman of Editorial Council. The International Almanac is forwarded to around 36 countries of the world.
In the second year of its formation, the RA Constitutional Court created Internet web-site and Electronic informational system, which is recognized as one of the best in the world.
A special compact disk has been prepared by the Constitutional Court, where the Constitutions of 150 countries and their comparative analysis are included. The International Association of Constitutional Law recognised it as an important program and placed it on the Internet site of the International Association. This unique program package translated into Russian and English is a concise material for constitutionalists and constitutional courts.
The RA Constitutional Court has elaborated a complex program of comparative analysis of the international official documents, where 1500 documents adopted by United Nations and all international European institutions are included (in Russian and English).
55 monographs and 191 scientific articles have been published by the Constitutional Court members and the staff members, 48 reports have been made during International Conferences, and 17 International Conferences have been invited (with participation of around 155 members of constitutional courts of different countries and 52 international experts).
During past 10 years the Constitutional Court has filed around 2500 various applications, adopted 754 Procedural decisions and heard 617 cases on constitutionality.
Constantly, the Constitution Court organized Republican Olympiads “Constitution and Law”, where more than 20.000 pupils and students participated. 3 collections of the best pupils’ works dedicated to the human rights protection have been published, Council of Young Researchers has been established in the RA Centre of Constitutional Law and library with the rich and newer literature has been established in the RA Constitutional Court.
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2005
December 6-10
Visit to Moscow
The delegation of the RA Constitutional Court, headed by the President of the RA Constitutional Court Mr. G. Harutyunyan, paid visit to Moscow. During this visit our delegation had meetings with President Valery Zorkin and judges of the Constitutional Court, as well as with the Presidents of the Supreme Court and Arbitrage Court of the Russian Federation. There is long standing close cooperation between our courts and our Russian colleagues have been permanent participants (at President’s level) of the Yerevan International Conference.
In July of this year, our fellow-countryman Academic Vladik Nersessyantz has passed away. He was the Chairman of the Russian National Group of International Association of Social and Legal philosophy and honorary member of the Centre of Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia. Our delegation visited Nersissyantz’ cemetery, where bishop Ezras, leader of spiritual bishopric of New Nakhijevan and Russia, held a funeral ceremony.
Program of the official visit of the RA Constitutional Court’s delegation. (in Russian).
October 2
Jubilee Conference
 From 3rd of September to 2nd of October Jubilee the X Yerevan International Conference, which was dedicated to the adoption of the RA Constitution and ten years’ formation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia took place. The topic of the Conference was titled: “Legal principles and political reality in exercising constitutional justice”.
There were many participants from different countries. It was first time that Mrs. Cheryl Saunders, Chairwoman of International Association of Constitutional Court, participated to this Conference. Within framework of massive publicity not only the specialists, but also a various strata of society had opportunity to closely commune with Mr. Luzius Wildhaber, President of the European Court of Human Rights, Mr. Gianni Buquicchio, Secretary of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, Mr. Valery Zorkin, President of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation and with Presidents of the Constitutional Courts of Poland, Latvia, Slovak Republic, Georgia and with many outstanding jurists and constitutionalists. Given Conference was taking place, when the constitutional reforms were in the process and Conference was very important for officials. President of the Republic of Armenia R. Kocharyan also participated to the Conference and made an opening speech.
the Conference guests had opportunity not only to make interesting reports, discuss many issues and present advanced experience, but also had different meetings and visited places of interest of Armenia.
September 29 – October 2
On the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Constitution and the Constitutional Court of Armenia International Conference on "Legal Principles and Political Reality in the Exercise of Constitutional Control".
March 18
G. Harutyunyan received Simona Granada Mengini, Head of the Department of the Constitutional Cooperation of the Venice Commission and Finola Flanagan, expert, member of the Venice Commission (Ireland). G. Harutyunyan briefly introduced the activity of the Constitutional Court, as well as expressed his opinion concerning constitutional reforms.
March 4
 G. Harutyunyan received Pierre Garrone, expert of OSCE/OHRDI and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. The purpose of his visit was to participate in the discussion about the written expert conclusion on the Electoral Code of the Republic of Armenia.
Mr. Garrone expressed his opinion regarding clarification of electoral system mechanisms in Armenia, on their prescription by law, rendering controllable the preliminary preaching period, on political agreement and regulation of many other issues concerning fair and transparent elections. The interlocutors gave importance to the problem of contribution of international experience in the elections.
January 31 - February 3
 The delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, consisting of Vice-President V. Hovhannisyan, Members F. Tokhyan and Z. Ghukasyan and headed by President G. Harutyunyan, paid a visit to France on official invitation by the Constitutional Council of France.
On the first day of the visit, a discussion, in the form of a seminar and the exchange of experiences, on current issues of constitutional justice took place between the two institutes of constitutional justice: the Constitutional Council of France and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. They particularly reverted to the issues of European integration and adoption of the Constitution of the European Union (in the near future it is foreseen a holding of a referendum on the adoption of the Constitution of the European Union in France; the constitutional review will also be carried out over this process).
During the discussion, the experience of the constitutional review exercised by the Constitutional Council of France with respect to the whole electoral process was presented in detail. The parties also discussed the issues concerning the subjects allowed to appeal to the Constitutional Council, which is very important for exercising constitutional justice.
In comparison with previous similar bilateral visits, which were much more of a cognitive nature, this meeting basically included a discussion on working matters, an exchange of experience, and a clarification of ways to accept the challenges of the new millennium.
This time, the French colleagues made a huge preparatory work. They are well acquainted with the activity of the Armenian Constitutional Court, including its international relations. They widely use the huge materials located on the web-site of the Constitutional Court, mentioning the advantage of the substantial and material variety of the web-site. It should be noted that among the web-sites of the Constitutional Courts and equivalent bodies of the world, the web-site of the Armenian Constitutional Court is the13th place. The French colleagues responded well to the books and journals published by the Centre of Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia, especially the Year Book "Almanac", published in four languages.
The Armenian delegation also visited the State Council, Court of Cassation, and State Commission of European integration.
These meetings, having large bilateral interest, were organized with absolutely warm reception and at a high level.
2004
November 24
 G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the RA received Eleanor Valentine and David Oslon, who were in Armenia within the framework of the program sponsored by USAID. The purpose of their visit was to acquaint themselves with the process of constitutional reform and the Electoral Code.
November 16
 G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the RA received Hiroaki Nishina, President of the "Sinaps" Corporation of Japan and Haik Arakelyan, Advisor for the Corporation. The subject of the conversation was scientific-technical innovations made by the "Sinaps" Corporation, and the wide opportunity of cooperation with Armenia.
November 3
 G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the RA received Anthony Barash and Carry Kendrick, Members of American Bar Association. They were interested in the activity of the Constitutional Court, the publication order of Constitutional Court decisions, the mechanisms of reviewing the constitutionality of laws by judges, the list of subjects appealed to the Constitutional Court, and many other questions on which they received exhaustive answers.
Visit of the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia.
The delegation was headed by V. Zorkin, President of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. The delegation had meetings in the Constitutional Court of the RA, in the National Assembly of the RA and with the RA President (12-16 October 2004).
September 9
 The delegation (Members of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia R. Papayan and K. Balayan), headed by G. Harutyunyan, was on a visit to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania. The delegation discussed with President E. Kuris on the urgent issues of constitutional justice, cooperation between constitutional courts of the two countries, exchange of information and other issues.
The visit ended with a meeting with representatives of the Armenian community of Vilnius and with a visit to the church St. Poghos Petros.
September 8
The delegation of the Constitutional Court
of the Republic of Armenia in Vilnius
The delegation of the Constitutional Court
of the Republic of Armenia in Vilnius
The delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, headed by President G. Harutyunyan, paid an official visit to Vilnius on invitation of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania.
The same day Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania, received the delegation.
During the visit, the delegation met with Algirdas Braskaus, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Vitautas Markevicus, Minister of Justice, Virgilius Valancius, President of the Supreme Administrative Court, and Academician Benediktas Guodkai, Rector of Vilnius University.
By the invitation of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania the delegation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia had official visit to Vilnius (September 8-12, 2004).
August 31
President G. Harutyunyan received Mrs. Hayke Paich, Extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany.
G. Harutyunyan introduced the newly appointed ambassador to the structure and activities of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia. He presented the warm relationships established between the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany and the Constitutional Court of RA. The President also attached importance to the German Government's assistance to the reform process in Armenia, in which the active participation of the newly appointed ambassador is expected.
Her Excellency responded to this assessments with pleasure and gave hope that during her officiate she would assist to the improvement of the relationship between the two countries as much as possible.
August 5
Hans Wulf Bartels, Extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia, paid a farewell visit to G. Harutyunyan.
Wulf Bartels, officiated since 2002 in Yerevan, had many opportunities to meet with G. Harutyunyan. Their dialogues on the two countries and particularly, the close relationship and cooperation between the two courts, had generally much more of a friendship character.
July 5
Three NGO-s celebrated Constitution Day in a special manner. They organized a joint seminar. The heads of the councils of the Centre of the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Armenia, Bar Association of the Republic of Armenia and Armenian Association of International Law presented the participants of the seminar and journalists with the activities made by their organizations, which basically consist of strengthening the constitutional democracy and ensuring the guarantee of the supremacy of human rights in the country. During this seminar a new handbook of joint activities were brought to life: the quarterly scientific-analytical journal "Law" was established and published in three languages (Armenian, Russian and English).
These three councils also decided to organize the conference entitled "From the Constitution to Constitutionalism" in 2004 (in November). The issues on strengthening and guaranteeing the Constitution were discussed during the seminar.
The professional seminars dedicated to the analysis of the concrete legal positions of the European Court of Human Rights and exercising the requirements of the European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms will have continuing character by the joint activity of three councils of these organizations. The founders of cooperation became G. Harutyunyan, the President of the Council of the Centre of Constitutional Law of the RA, G. Ghazinyan, Doctor of Law and V. Hovhannisyan, PhD in Law.
June 11
 Ezhi Yaskernia, the reporter on the Armenian Question of Monitoring Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe met with the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, G. Harutyunyan, and Vice-President V. Hovhannisyan.
June 10
Mohammad Farhad Koleini, Extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia, paid a farewell visit to G. Harutyunyan.
April 28
G. Harutyunyan received V. Pryakhin, Ambassador, and head of the office of OSCE in Armenia. During the short time of his officiate it was the second visit of Pryakhin to the Constitutional Court. This time he asked for some clarifications on proposals directed to the RA President and the National Assembly made in the decision adopted on April 16.
March 25
G. Harutyunyan received Otto Luchterhandt, Professor of Hamburg University, Rudriger Rubel, Judge of the Administrative Court of Germany, Verner Schults, Head of the Department of the Ministry of Justice of Hesen, and Volfgang Rimers, and President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Hesen. G. Harutyunyan introduced the guests to the activity of the Constitutional Court, detailing the discussions concerning the Protocols (1, 4, 6, 7) of the Convention. He also presented the undertakings realized during the last years in cooperation with the Venice Commission through the Centre of Constitutional Law, the publication of the unprecedented Year Book "Almanac" and so on. Owing to above mentioned and other activities, "the legal field of Armenia got a serious amendment as to the protection of human rights".
March 24
G. Harutyunyan received the special representative of South Caucasus of the European Union Heiki Talvetie and the delegation headed by him.
March 1
 G. Harutyunyan received Easy Foiger, Anna Mary Garidon, Olsen Elizabeth Milan, and V. Karmirshalyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Norway and Sweden.
The guests were in mission, they were meeting with G. Harutyunyan for getting his opinion on the establishment and the activity of the Institute of Ombudsman.
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia
Mr. G. Harutyunyan participated and had a report (in French) in the VI World Congress of the International Association of Constitutional Law (Santiago de Chile, 12 - 16 January, 2004).
2003
November 11
G. Harutyunyan received V. Pryakhin, Ambassador, and new head of the office of OSCE in Armenia.
The ambassador expressed gratitude that both sides have a desire to continue the effective cooperation between the Yerevan office of OSCE and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia.
October 22
G. Harutyunyan received the delegation of directors of the Armenian Congress in America, which was headed by Hrair Hovnanyan, President of the Trustee Council. Peter Vospikyan, President of the Board of Directors, Antony Parsamyan, Vice-President, and Arpi Vardanyan, Head of regional organization were also in the above mentioned delegation.
Mr. Hovnanyan informed the President of the Constitutional Court on the purpose of their being in Armenia: the discussion of their new programs in the homeland, the present developments concerning Armenia and Karabakh, and the development of the forthcoming activities.
October 4
CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CONFERENCE OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONTROL ORGANS OF COUNTRIES OF YOUNG DEMOCRACY (CCCOCYD) AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE (VENICE COMMISSION)
September 10
 G. Harutyunyan received Maria Dolgopolova, Extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the Republic of Belarus.
On request of the guests, Mr. Harutyunyan presented the activity of the Constitutional Court, introduced its international relations, and informed on the next upcoming traditional 8th International Conference, where the delegation of the Constitutional Court of Belarus is a permanent participant. Mr. Harutyunyan attached a great importance to the subject to be discussed in the given conference: "The Basic Criterions for Assessment of Restrictions of Human Rights in the Practice of Constitutional Justice".
July 21
Christian Schtrohai, Head of the Office of Human Rights and Democratic Institutions of OSCE paid his second visit to G. Harutyunyan with Giovanni Kessler, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE.
Expressing their gratitude for the reception, the guests expressed a desire to get detailed information on the Constitutional Court's activity, its international relations, and its cooperation with the Venice Commission and other structures.
Besides getting an exhaustive answer, the guests received copies of the famous "Almanac", which is published in four languages and where the articles of well-known jurists and constitutionalists of more than two dozen countries are included.
July 8
G. Harutyunyan received Christian Schtrohai, Head of the Office of Human Rights and Democratic Institutions of OSCE and the delegation headed by Giovanni Kessler, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE.
The guests introduced the purpose of joint mission that is to assist the process of legislative reforms concerning elections.
G. Harutyunyan showed hospitality to the participants of the International Scientific Conference, which took place in Yerevan (June 28- July 3) and was organized with the support of the Armenian Bar Association and the International Bar Association of the RA and by initiative of judges of the Federal Court and Association of Prosecutors of the Federal Republic of Germany. The Presidents of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts and well-known jurists of different European countries were in the composition of the delegation.
June 28
 G. Harutyunyan received Hans Gameltoft-Hansen, Parliamentary Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Denmark.
They spoke about the establishment of the Institute of Ombudsman and its importance in the Republic of Armenia.
At parting Hans Gameltoft-Hansen noted with great pleasure that he is acquainted with the activity of G. Harutyunyan through his book "The constitutional review and its development in the modern world (a comparative constitutional analysis)", and that he is now very pleased that by virtue of this meeting the notion becomes enlarged as regarding G. Harutyunyan, as well as the Constitutional Court. He concluded with the following sentence: "Your attitude to the law is very appreciable for me".
May 30
Robert Barry, Ambassador of OSCE/OHRDI Mission to the Parliamentary Elections of the Republic of Armenia, paid his second visit to G. Harutyunyan.
May 24
Giovanni Kessler, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE, Robert Barry, Ambassador, and Head of the OSCE/ODIHR delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Lord Russel Johnston, Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the delegation which accompanied them, visited G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court. Mr. Harutyunyan informed that after the decision taken on April 16th, the Central Electoral Commission took a number of decisions, in particular, the form of appeal was cleared up, and Mr. Harutyunyan did hope that if they were applied, the level of trust in parliamentary elections would be more stable.
May 7
President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. G. Harutyunyan received Robert Barry, Ambassador of the OSCE/ODIHR Mission to the Parliamentary Elections.
G. Harutyunyan presented in detail the decision taken on April 16th, spoke of the joint activity with the experts of the Venice Commission, and discussed the issues of protecting the electors' rights in the courts of general jurisdiction.
May 2
G. Harutyunyan received John Ordway, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USA.
Mr. Harutyunyan provided exhaustive information to the Ambassador and answered many questions.
March 23
G. Harutyunyan received Lord Russel Johnston. The guest expressed his worries concerning the negative attitude of the RA authority toward the opinion of the observation mission.
March 21
G. Harutyunyan received John Ordway, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USA.
Mr. Harutyunyan expressed worry to the Ambassador that a number of shortcomings existing in the Electoral Code create many problems.
February 28
Peter Eicher, Head of the Observation Mission of the OSCE met with Mr. G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the RA to make acquaintance with the judicial dispute on the results of the RA Presidential Elections held on February 19th and with the investigation, preparation and examination order of the case in the Constitutional Court.
January 16
 G. Harutyunyan received Mr. Fayez Absi, Charge d'Affaires, Plenipotentiary Minister of Syria.
2002
September 12
His Holiness Garegin II, the Catholicos of all Armenians, and Conrad Riser, General Secretary of the Churches' World Board visited the Constitutional Court. They attached importance to the significance of the unprecedented seminar, which is a new step in the approachment between Church and State. The purpose of the second visit was to finally clarify the details of organization of the seminar, as well as to touch upon issues regarding the activities dedicated to the 1700th Anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia.
October 14
G. Harutyunyan received the delegation of notaries of the Southern region of France. They visited Armenia in order to organize their Annual Congress. Mr. Harutyunyan expressed his gratitude to this group of specialists for granting 94 000 USD for the program of building of School N 32 in Gyumri.
June 24
G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, received a teachers' group of the Armenian Diaspora. G. Harutyunyan briefly introduced legislative sources of the Armenian reality, spoke of the role and activity of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, and by comparative analysis acquainted the teachers with the activity of the Constitutional Courts of the world and their relations with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia.
These teachers of the Armenian Diaspora visited the session hall and consultative room of the Constitutional Court of the RA and took many photos with G. Harutyunyan.
July 18
G. Harutyunyan received the delegation headed by Mrs. Lidi Polfer, President of the Circle of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Vice Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg. Particularly, they talked about the constitutional reforms held in Armenia, the deadlines of holding referenda on it and the attitude of the Council of Europe in this concern.
July 10
G. Harutyunyan received Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, who paid a working visit to Armenia.
The interlocutors expressed their worries regarding the necessity of judicial system reforms. They believed that full independence should be provided for the judicial system: "The court should depend only on the law".
June 26
G. Harutyunyan received Mohammad Farhad Koleini, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia. They discussed different issues of bilateral cooperation and attached significance to the role of the two countries in solving regional strategic issues.
April 26
Mrs. Pihi Protopsaltis and Mr. Peter Koll, representatives of the European Center of Public Law of Athens visited Mr. G. Harutyunyan.
April 23
 A group of deputies from the Parliaments of Cyprus, Greece, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Lebanon, Sweden and Norway, visited G. Harutyunyan. The deputies arrived to Armenia on invitation by the Coordinator Board of Armenian organizations of Sweden, by the People's Armenian Movement, by the Center "Hayastan" of Greece and a number of Armenian NGO-s.
April 12
 Vladimir Tyaglo, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Ukraine, visited G. Harutyunyan on the occasion of the beginning of his diplomatic activity.
Mr. Harutyunyan congratulated the newly appointed Ambassador, and assured that friendly relations with the former ambassador would be maintained, the basis of which is the positive relations of the Constitutional Courts of the Ukraine and of Armenia.
April 12
Antanas Valionis, President of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, visited G. Harutyunyan. Mr. Valionis had already chaired the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe for six months, and had been completely acquainted with constitutional justice reforms in Armenia. He also mentioned that the Centre of Constitutional Law headed by G. Harutyunyan has a substantial contribution to it.
April 10
Hans-Wulf Bartels, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Armenia visited the Constitutional Court. Congratulating his appointment as the Ambassador in the RA, G. Harutyunyan noted that he highly estimated the German legal education.
March 16
 G. Harutyunyan received Mr. Spiros Kiprianu, President of the Parliament of Cyprus.
March 15
A group of teachers from the Armavir region visited the Constitutional Court. Member of the Constitutional Court Mrs. Alvina Gyulumyan introduced the Constitutional Court activities; afterwards they visited the session hall, consultative room and hall "Shahamir and Hakob Shahamiryanner", where the teachers met with G. Harutyunyan, President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia.
March 14
 G. Harutyunyan received Mimo Lahelma, Ambassador of Finland in the Republic of Armenia. G. Harutyunyan, as coordinator of the Working Group and Commission to President on constitutional reforms, presented the process of constitutional reforms in the Republic of Armenia, and afterwards the Constitutional Court activities.
March 14
G. Harutyunyan received John Ordway, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the USA. It was his first visit to the Constitutional Court and was of a cognitive nature. G.Harutyunyan introduced the Constitutional Court activities, acting judicial system in the Republic of Armenia, establishment of constitutional justice and, proceeding from the particularities of international experience, he presented our approaches to constitutional reform.
February 28
Hamed Hasan, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic in the RA, paid his farewell visit to G. Harutyunyan.
February 28
 Chju Chjaoshun, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of People's Republic of China, paid a visit of politeness to G. Harutyunyan.
January 30
G. Harutyunyan received Natalya Voutova, the representative of the Council of Europe in the Republic of Armenia. Mrs. Voutova informed that the Venice Commission highly appreciated the activity of Mr. G. Harutyunyan as member of the Commission, and transferred the Venice Commission's wish to continue the cooperation for the year.
January 29
G. Harutyunyan received Henry Cuny, the newly appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of France.
Congratulating Mr. Cuny on his appointment, Mr. G. Harutyunyan generally presented the Constitutional Court activity, spoke of the international recognition of the institution, of the cooperation with similar structures of other countries, especially with two Centres acting in France, and introduced the initiative to publish the Almanac "Constitutional Justice in the new millennium" in four languages: English, Russian, French, and German.
2000
THE VISIT OF MR. G. HARUTYUNYAN, PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND MR. TIGRAN TOROSYAN, DEPUTY OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) 45th PLENARY MEETING (Venice, 15-16 December 2000)
THE VISIT OF MR. G. HARUTYUNYAN, PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW (VENICE COMMISSION) 42th PLENARY MEETING
(Venice, 31 March - 1 April 2000)
1999
 THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND
(5-7 February, 1999)
1998
 THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF MRS. MIRELLE ROCATTI, THE PRESIDENT OF THE MEXICAN NATIONAL COMMISSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
(12-14 June 1998)
THE VISIT OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF VENICE COMMISSION "FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW"
(22-26 May, 1998)
THE VISIT OF THE DELEGATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF GEORGIA
(1-3 May, 1998)
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The Constitutional Court of the RA 
