COPENHAGEN, 1 May 2012 – The OSCE PA observation mission to Armenia this week will include more than 70 participants. The delegation to observe the country's 6 May parliamentary elections will be led by Francois-Xavier de Donnea (Belgium).

OSCE Chair-in-Office and Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore appointed Mr. de Donnea Special Co-ordinator to head the short-term OSCE observer mission, which is to include more than 200 observers.

De Donnea, a member of the Belgian Parliament and the former mayor of Brussels, has participated in several election observation missions in the past, including serving as deputy head of the observation mission to the 2010 presidential election in Ukraine.

"Armenia's geographical location, straddling East and West, makes it strategically important for the advancement of democracy within the region. This year's innovative use of technology to engage citizens in the electoral process, educate voters and encourage civic participation is a promising development," said de Donnea.

"I look forward to leading our delegation to observe this year's parliamentary elections, which I hope will further demonstrate Armenia's capacity to fulfill its OSCE commitments, and to serve as a model for future elections within the region."

The OSCE will assess the Armenian elections for their conformity with the OSCE commitments as stated in the 1990 Copenhagen Document, to which Armenia has subscribed. De Donnea will deliver the post-election statement on behalf of the OSCE at a news conference on Monday 7 May.