AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENTARIANS PROTEST AGAINST EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S RESOLUTION ON AZERBAIJAN

APA
Dec 25 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev – APA. Today’s sitting of the Azerbaijani
parliament began with the protest of the parliamentarians against
the resolution on Azerbaijan adopted by the European Parliament
on December 17, APA reports. Vice-speaker Valeh Alasgarov said the
resolution of the European Parliament on Azerbaijan was unfair.

"Everybody’s, nor only journalists’ rights should be ensured. The
European Parliament has never remembered the violated rights of
one million refugees and IDPs. Nobody remembered their rights. The
resolution demands immediate release of some persons, restoration of
broadcasters. We should answer this," he said.

Speaker of the parliament Ogtay Asadov regarded the resolution as a
kind of pressure against Azerbaijan.

"This is one of the means to make Azerbaijan compromise in the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict," he said.

MP Rovshan Rzayev said the Azerbaijani parliament should make a
statement about it.

"We should invite the members of the European Parliament to dialogue,"
he said.

"Some political groups exert pressure on Azerbaijan," said Fuad
Muradov.

According to MP Samad Seyidov, the forces that do not love Azerbaijan
have become active. He considers that the resolution should be reacted
in two manners.

"Protest should be expressed against the resolution. First of all, this
resolution is connected with Azerbaijan’s leadership in the region. On
the other hand, we should analyze our work. In what direction are we
working with them? We should explain Azerbaijan’s importance for Europe
in the language they understand. The resolution is biased," he said.

Following the discussions, Azerbaijani parliament established a
commission. Ogtay Asadov said the commission will prepare a statement
of protest to the European Parliament, the parliament will confirm the
statement today. The commission includes Fazail Agamali, Fuad Muradov,
Nizami Isgandarov, Elman Mammadov, Panah Huseyn and Rovshan Rzayev.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on December 17. The
resolution says that freedom of expression and press is not
satisfactory and calls on the Azerbaijani government to take positive
steps.