Respected participants of the conference,
I welcome all of you and congratulate on the beginning of theoretical and practical conference dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Armenian Constitution.
The very circumstance that the organizers of the conference are the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, National Assembly and Supreme Court of the Artsakh Republic, as well as International Association of Armenian Lawyers confirm the significance of the event. It is also very important that the conference is held in Artsakh which is of both scientific and political importance.
The development of constitutionalism in Armenia and Artsakh is considered to be among the pivotal directions of strengthening independent national statehood and integration with the civilized world.
Great representatives of our nation signified the constitution so much that even in the absence of statehood they elaborated this fundamental document. Now when we have both the independent statehood and basic laws we should solve issues of different qualities. It is necessary continue developing constitutionalism and Armenian legal thought, studying experience of leading countries and improving domestic legislative basis. It is among the foundations of democratic and legal state system that are exclusive values for us. For Artsakh it is also one of the key directions for international recognition of its independence.
This process requires high professionalism, adherence to principles, honesty and daily painstaking work.
Close cooperation within the entire Armenian world, between the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora is of special importance. Using the potential of the strong Armenian Diaspora enables to solve issues put before us in a more effective way studying and applying the experience of other countries.
Within this context "The Contemporary Issues of Developing Constitutionalism" theoretical and practical conference dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Armenian Constitution organized on a high representative level with the participation of state bodies, scientific and political circles has a special significance.
I am confident that the conference will solve issues put before it effectively and will favor further widening and deepening scientific and practical ties in this important sphere.
I wish fruitful work to the conference, success to the participants in the name of strengthening the Armenian Statehood and realization of our national goals.
Stepanakert,7 April, 2010.
2010-04-17