AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
Aug 25 2009

Armenia blamed for shrugging off CE feedback

25-08-2009 23:26:10

The Armenian government is failing to meet Council of Europe
recommendations, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation at the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has said.
Samad Seyidov told reporters that issues on Armenia are discussed at
the assembly and during each session of the organization.
“At first glance, the CE is substantially dealing with the situation
in Armenia and is issuing various recommendations. However, Yerevan
then ignores these recommendations. It turns out that, overall,
Armenia is not interested in resolving the problems it is facing.“
Tensions escalated in the South Caucasus republic after its February
19 presidential election. The opposition had refused to recognize the
outcome of the election won by former Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian,
taking to the streets. Scores of people were killed, hundreds of
others injured and arrested during the cruel putdown of the mass
protests on March 1-2. PACE has passed two resolutions demanding that
Armenia improve its democratic situation, warning that the country
might be deprived of its voting right in PACE.
Seyidov noted, further, that the Armenia issue might be raised during
the next PACE session. “This, however, does not mean that Yerevan
will take substantial steps after some resolution is adopted.“
The assembly`s fall session will be held from September 28 to October 2.
Seyidov also said an issue on Azerbaijan may be put on discussion at
PACE in late 2009 or early 2010.
“Some believe this is an extraordinary discussion. But this is not
the case, because any country under monitoring is to be substantially
discussed once or twice a year. It is time for discussions on
Azerbaijan as well,“ Seyidov concluded.