The U.S. calls on the Armenian leadership to review the law on TV and radio broadcasting. Washington shares concerns over the amendments expressed by the OSCE and EU, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told at her meeting with NGO representatives held in Yerevan on Monday.

She stated that the matter had been discussed during her meeting with the Armenian President. Clinton noted that the RA government might introduce amendments to the law this autumn.

Mrs. Clinton stressed that the U.S. would work with the Armenian government on the issue, especially on protection of journalists’ rights.

Hillary Clinton is aware of how difficult it is to struggle for freedom, equality and justice for the countries which embark on the way of democratic development, stressing she is here to assist this complex task.

According to her, democracy requires not only freedom of choice but also opportunities for free dialogue, free exchange of views, transparent administration and the most important thing, a strong civil force that is not satisfied with status quo but contributes to free and healthy society-building.

The U.S. is confident that democracy is thriving in the states where civil society representatives are respected and enjoy the right to work freely. She also pointed out Armenian NGOs and journalists made steps aimed at strengthening ties both between the South Caucasian nations and with Turkey.

On June 17 RA President Serzh Sargsyan signed amendments to the Law on TV and Radio Broadcasting, providing for digitalization of broadcasting by July 20, 2013.

On June 4, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Yerevan and Baku within the framework of her visit to Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.

In Yerevan Hillary Clinton met with RA President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. The Armenian-Turkish relations and the Karabakh peace process were on the agenda.