YEREVAN, 8 OCTOBER, NOYAN TAPAN: The three-day instructional program on security control and management issues organized for the Armenian government and National Assembly ended on October 7 in Yerevan. The forum was organized by the "Institute for Civil Society and Regional Progress" NGO with funding by the OSCE Yerevan Office, the Geneva Center for Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the Czech Republic, which is presiding in the European Union. In the press conference that followed, Assistant Director of the OSCE Yerevan Office Karel Hofstran mentioned that Armenia has a long road ahead. The state in Armenia is unique, taking into account Armenia’s geopolitical position and closed borders. Perhaps this is why information is more open and accessible in other countries than Armenia. According to him, the parliament must be more active, particularly in the issue concerning democratic control of the armed forces. It was also mentioned that the parliament doesn’t always use the authorizations that are reserved for the parliament. The role of civil society is also important in democratic control. EU Special Commissioner for Eastern Partnership, Ambassador Milos Lexa (Czech Republic) mentioned that the issue concerning the cooperation with unrecognized states like Nagorno-Karabakh has not been discussed in the EU Eastern Partnership plan. "What is the possibility of Armenia becoming an associated member in the Eastern Partnership plan?" In response to this, the EU representative said that the European Union is not yet ready for new expansion. The European Union is currently holding talks with Croatia and Turkey on integration and foresees talks on the issue of Serbia's EU integration. Nevertheless, as Lexa stated, the Eastern Partnership may become a very good preparatory stage for countries’ associate membership in the future.

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