AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 12 2005

COUNCIL OF EUROPE SHOULD IMPOSE SANCTIONS AGAINST ARMENIA
[February 12, 2005, 21:38:56]

On February 12, Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov has met with
co-rapporteurs of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on
Azerbaijan Andreas Gross and Andres Herkel.

In detail having informed the co-rapporteurs about legal and
democratic reforms in Azerbaijan, Mr. Alaskarov has noted, that
our country integrates into Europe, carries out the obligations
taken before the Council of Europe, he has told: “Milli Majlis has
ratified more than 40 CE conventions. Under recommendations of the
Venetian Commission, OSCE and other international organizations,
a new Election Code has been adopted, on the basis of the given
document presidential and municipal elections were carried out and
now there is a preparation for parliamentary elections. If necessary,
said Code can be amended. Also the public TV in the near future will
start to work. WE take measures connected to persons, which the Council
of Europe, according to data of the non-governmental organizations,
counts political prisoners. More than thousand people were pardoned
on Decree signed by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Having emphasized, that Azerbaijan has received the greater economic,
political and democratic development in comparison with republics
of Southern Caucasus, the Speaker has told: “The questions causing
our concern, remain. Though Armenia has undertaken to assist peace
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, nevertheless, it does
not fulfill the given promise. Speaking on human rights, it is
impossible to remain indifferent to destiny of more than one million
citizens of Azerbaijan. The Security Council of the United Nations,
the Council of Europe and other organizations adopted relevant
resolutions connected to this conflict. But it is impossible to be
content only with adoption of documents; it is necessary to impose
serious sanctions against the aggressor.

Having expressed gratitude for the detailed information, Andreas Gross
has noted, that is pleased with democratic reforms carried out in
Azerbaijan. He has told: “It is necessary to improve clauses of the
Election Code connected to formation of constituencies. Having made
it, the Parliament can achieve much. Expedient will be also prompt
beginning of work of the public TV.

At the meeting, also were given answers to questions interesting
visitors and carried out exchange of views on other questions
representing mutual interest.