The ambassadors to Armenia do not have to be aware of the details of criminal cases investigated by the Armenian National Security Service, Vice Speaker of Armenian Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov told journalists on March 28, when commenting on the US and European ambassadors' calls to stop the criminal case against the Civilitas Foundation.
To note, the US Ambassador John Heffern and German Ambassador Reiner Morell called the Armenian authorities to stop the criminal case against the Civilitas Foundation founded by ex-foreign minister of Armenia, MP from the Prosperous Armenia Party Vartan Oskanian. Heffern said that Civilitas and Civilnet are important partners of the US Embassy and make their important contribution to development of democracy in Armenia. He pointed out that three US projects
implemented by Civilitas are being investigated by the NSS, however, the Embassy had no questions on how the US taxpayers' funds were spent. Heffern thinks that there is nothing to investigate either by the NSS or any other body.
German ambassador to Armenia Reiner Morell said that the Civilitas introduces positive changes in terms of democracy. He noted that Germany has also funded the Civilitas programs adding that the latter acts in accordance with law. He says that in such cases the country's positive image is harmed amid political developments and ahead of the Association Agreement.
Swiss Ambassador Konstantin Obolensky said that the Embassy cooperated with the Foundation under a project in 2009-2010. He pointed out that the Embassy applied to an audit company to prepare an audit report and the Embassy has no complaints about Civilitas.
Honorary Consul to Norway and Finland Timothy Straight, in turn, stressed that Norway thinks that Civilitas is a good way to promote development of healthy free press in Armenia. The Embassy has supported the Foundation from the very beginning and there were absolute no problems with implementation of projects by the funds of Norwegian taxpayers.