Azeri Press Agency
Jan 26 2007
Rene van der Linden: PACE can not make any party agree to a certain
key to the NK conflict
[ 26 Jan. 2007 13:31 ]
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe René
van der Linden interviewed by the APA European bureau
– How do you appreciate the cooperation between the PACE and
Azerbaijan?
– Azerbaijan is the member of the Council of Europe for 6 years. I
congratulate the Republic of Azerbaijan and its people. The
delegation of your country to the PACE is very active. I consider
that they should be mediators between the Azerbaijani parliament and
the Council of Europe, taking into account important issues discussed
here, as well as the importance of Azerbaijan’s fulfilment of all
commitments. The report on Azerbaijan will be heard in PACE session
in April. The state of political prisoners, press, political
opposition in Azerbaijan are among the issues of our concern.
Achievement in these issues is very important for Azerbaijan’s
development.
– When is Azerbaijan expected to be included in the list of
post-monitoring countries?
– I think that the countries under monitoring should be pleased with
it. This is a sort of help. If any country has strict commitments and
the CE helps to solve them, these countries should be satisfied that
they will soon fulfil their commitments.
– The members of Azerbaijani delegation asked to include them in the
list of speakers, but they did not make any speech. What is the
reason?
– I feel regret. You know that we come together only four times in a
year and we have less time to make speeches. This session was
dedicated to the rights of children, that is why the discussions were
held on this topic. Besides, the discussions on Kosovo problem took
much time. If the members of Azerbaijani delegation consider that we
made changes to the list, then they should appeal to me in written
form. This is very important issue; all countries should be treated
in the same level. I can not take a stance to happenings yet, I can
only say this kind of fact was not recorded during my chairmanship.
– Though Armenia continues to keep Azerbaijani lands under
occupation, your organization does exert pressure on them. But PACE
has special resolution…
– We continue to put pressure. We especially direct these pressures
on Armenia, but Azerbaijan is also being exerted. The reason is to
achieve the settlement of the conflict is very important. This is
political issue and we need political will in this issue. I think
that the meetings of the presidents were positive enough,
unfortunately, the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict
remains ineffective. I hope that by the assistance of international
organizations the settlement of the conflict will be achieved. /APA/