October 8 2007 Armenian Defense Minister Michael Haroutounyan received the delegation headed by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Mr. Thomas Hammarberg.

During the meeting sides talked about improvement of democratic oversight mechanisms in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia in the framework of the defense reforms. Parties discussed a number of issues related to alternative military service, as well as questions of human rights protection in the Armed Forces of RA reflected in the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan. The interlocutors also discussed questions connected with prisoners of war and missing persons. At the end of the meeting Minister M. Haroutounyan expressed hope that the observation of the human rights protection in the Armed Forces and the possible suggestion will help Armed forces of RA to direct efforts in the right direction.