CE SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES TO RESOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT BEFORE AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 31 2007

France, Strasbourg / corr Trend A.Ismayilova / Terry Davis, the
Council of Europe (CE) Secretary-General, voiced his hope to resolve
the [Armenian-Azerbaijani] Nagorno-Karabakh conflict before the 2008
presidential election in Azerbaijan.

During talks with Azerbaijani journalists in Strasbourg on 30 May,
he noted that it is up to the Azerbaijani and Armenian people. Davis
stated his confidence that the presidential elections in Azerbaijan
would not affect the negotiations process.

The CE Secretary-General said that the people of Azerbaijan should
concentrate on education, health, employment and other problems. Due to
the unsettlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, too much money is spent by both countries on defense,
whereas it could be directed at resolving social problems of both
nations.

The CE Secretary-General also advised Azerbaijan to compete with
Armenia in the organization of elections. " Azerbaijan should strive
to improve on Armenia’s election process" he noted.