Baku Today
PACE Resolution Calls on Azerbaijan to Clarify Issues
AssA-Irada 06/10/2004 14:07
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in its October 5
session discussed a resolution on Azerbaijan’s commitments to the
organization.
The document says that after Ilham Aliyev was elected President in 2003,
major reforms have been implemented in Azerbaijan, which represents
importance in terms of the country’s compliance with its obligations as a
member of the CE.
The resolution also says Azerbaijan has taken a pro-Europe stance and
pursues an independent foreign policy course.
The document indicated that tensions may exist inside the government, which
may slow down the course of reforms in the country. It also demanded the
Azeri government and parliament to solve a number of problems. These include
the 2003 presidential election and the ensuing human rights violations,
amnesty of 7 opposition representatives after the election, the political
prisoner problem, freedom of press, publication of the election results on
all ballot stations and punishing those responsible for falsifications.
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was discussed as well.
One of the speakers at the meeting, Movlud Chavushoglu, pointed out that
Armenia, also a member of the Council of Europe, occupies 20% of
Azerbaijan’s land and said the CE should take serious steps on the issue.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress