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The communities of ethnic minorities in Armenia have a long history and, even if few in number, they still feel integrated, and their representatives live as full-fledged RA citizens. This was the statement made by Hermine Naghdalyan, Vice President of RA National Assembly, at the meeting of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, held on October 15 with the OSCE delegation.

The NA Vice President noted that the Armenian side highly appreciates the visit of the Personal Representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office to the Armenian Parliament, and assured that our country is also committed to the values  pursued by the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Elinar Vardanyan, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, in her turn noted that the OSCE plays a significant role in the development of human rights and promotion of democracy. She said that the problems of the ethnic minorities are addressed with great consideration by the Committee, and they are certainly taken into account while elaborating legislative initiatives.

The RA NA Public and Media Relations Department informed "Pastinfo" that Senator Adil Akhmetov, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, and Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, were the OSCE Delegation members.

Rabbi Andrew Baker said that their work is directly related to the problem of discrimination, and the OSCE has carried out immense work to combat this phenomenon. He noted that the delegation will meet with the representatives of the communities of ethnic minorities in Armenia, and will ask to share their experience. The standpoint of RA Government and RA Parliament on the various issues related to discrimination will be included in the report on Armenia.

Vardan Oskanyan, member of the OSCE PA Armenian Delegation, who was also present at the meeting, gave an outline of OSCE and Armenia cooperation experience.