Rene van Der Linden held press conference dedicated to the results of his visit to Baku

The head of delegation of Milli Majlis to PACE Samad Seyidov also joined the press conference. The head of PACE stated that the aim of his visit to South Caucasus as a new president of the organization, is to get acquainted with the  countries being admitted to the  Council of Europe, aspiring for democracy.

“The most important test is awaited Azerbaijan and Armenia. In Armenia referendum related to the Constitution, but in Azerbaijan from the view point of holding of parliamentary elections is one of the obligations undertaken before Council of Europe. These measures provide real opportunities for the both countries in order to prove the international community that they made a democratic election”.

Touching on the current situation concerning the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, head of PACE said of this problem to have no other solution but peaceful one.” Both Azerbaijan and Armenia undertook obligations on resolving the conflict by peaceful way upon their accession to the Council of Europe. I came to such conclusion after the meeting of the Presidents that they support peaceful way of solution of the problem. Peace was founded in Europe in the 40-50s of the last century. I am sure that, there will be a political leader to establish peace in the Caucasus too”.

Rene Van Der Linden noted that one of the main issues discussed during his visit was about elections. He recommended using ink in order to prevent one citizen to vote for two times on the Election Day and making exact voter’s list in the meetings conducted by him. Rene Van Der Linden expressed his concern about the restrictions the local NGOs funded from abroad face regarding observing the process of election. He hoped that this problem will be solved too. The head of PACE the case concerning the frauds committed during the presidential elections in 2003 should be closed in order to increase the population’s confidence to the elections. He also touched on the matter regarding the functioning of the public service television.

“When the president Ilham Aliyev received me he informed that the Public Television will be broadcasted later in August. I hope that the candidates will be able to profit by the abilities of this television. It is important to enable the opposition to speak over the electron mass information means. I call on the opposition to treat the democracy in a constructive manner. All sides are responsible in the elections”. Rene Van Der Linden added that if the elections do not meet the European standards, the structure will react trenchantly.

“I hope that we will congratulate the head of the Azerbaijani delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in connection with conducted parliamentary elections and not discuss the right of the delegation to join PACE meetings”.

/APA/