Elnur Aslanov: "Elections in Azerbaijan will be held in the democratic atmosphere, in conditions of transparency and openness"

- International organizations and some western countries have intensified their activity in Azerbaijan in connection with the coming presidential elections in Azerbaijan, planned for October 15. Introduction of amendments to the Election commission in Azerbaijan is proposed as one of the principal issues for conduction of democratic elections. Can the government of Azerbaijan review its position on the said issue?

- Practice shows that such intensification occurs traditionally before elections. It is pity that western countries and international organizations are less active while discussing resolutions on Karabakh or any other issue important not only for Azerbaijan but also for the region. Though it is necessary to think over the unsettled problems of the region than intensify efforts before the elections for the sake of stability, prosperity and security. But we are used to it, though.

I would like to assure all that are intensifying or plan to do it, that the elections in Azerbaijan will be held in the democratic atmosphere, in conditions of transparency and openness. This complies with our tasks and goals. Each elections in Azerbaijan is a step for democratic consolidation, this is the striving of powers, in particular, President Ilham Aliyev for a greater democratization of the Azerbaijani society. This is a strategic task and our changeless position.

As for the election commissions, let's speak openly-this topic is really burdens the political area and the dialogue between the actors of political process. We should base on reality. Today, the election commissions are formed in line with international practice and interests of the Azerbaijani society. It is not actual to follow different speculations about who and how should be represented in the commissions.

- The US government has assigned $3,000,000 for conduction of democratic elections in Azerbaijan. The US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse said that these assets will be allocated not for separate parties or other organizations, but they will promote improvement of situation with freedom of speech and election situation. How do you assess this initiative of the United States?

- If I am not mistaken such initiatives were proposed in the past. It should be noted that any initiative aimed at improvement of democratic traditions in Azerbaijan is a positive think. Yet such initiatives should be maximally transparent and promote participation of all sides of political process.

We should not forget that elections is a sovereign right of people to express their will. Each people in line with its historical traditions, political and economic realities, as well as social and cultural spirit comes and votes. Therefore, such initiatives should promote the phased democratic transformation, establishing harmony and solidarity in the society, promoting transparency and openness.

We would like each initiative to comply with the interests of the Azerbaijani state, U am sure that the initiative, the US embassy plans to implement in Azerbaijan, complies with all these tasks and interests. They should not forget that we are the US partner in a number of issues.

- The recent reports of international organizations frequently raise issue of democracy in Azerbaijan, including problems with freedom of speech and political prisoners. Is the possibility of appointment of rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan high?

- You know, the problem of democracy has already turned into a toy for someone, who plays skillfully. In the result, each report reflects the desired mood. Sometimes, the reports contain definite "double standards", absence of effective and substantiated facts or old information is taken as a basis.

If you analyze several reports on Azerbaijan, compare figures, which are fixed there and analyze real achievements, you will see what is taken by authors of some reports as a basis. Sometimes, the case becomes even absurd and a handwriting of Caucasus authors becomes obvious in western reports.

On the whole, the game of reports has become profitable. This is a good opportunity to become famous in new independent states for organizations, which try to get grants somewhere in vain. I am often astonished at the striving of some reporters to discuss this or that report. At the same time, they do it without being aware of the importance and the real essence of the report.

Let's admit that it is easy to sit down and write a report, saying that everything is bad. It is much more difficult to study any factor of democratic transformation, problem with freedom of speech, monitor transit of public awareness. It is much more difficult to understand that Azerbaijani society is democratizing with cultural heritage, peculiarities of the transit period, political and economic transformations. This is proceeding on par in our society. This is an extremely complicated social process, which will be understood only after completion.

As for the rapporteur on political prisoners, there are no grounds for appointment of such a rapporteur in Azerbaijan.

- Can we call the announcements of international organizations biased and is it connected with the coming presidential elections?

- Announcements of any international organization are based on its vision of any issues. I have said that sometimes the announcements and reports contain biased elements, with deficit of real analysis and understanding of the situation is felt. Though, sometimes we hear announcements that Azerbaijan has turned into the major regional player, has become an economic subject of the post-Soviet area, improves, successfully liberalizes its economic and financial policy. Let's speak about it.

Our society has developed and changed dramatically. Everything is changing including the cities and villages up to the strivings of each citizen. We are becoming more confident about future. We have what to think about and take pride in. An ordinary citizen has acquired a life purpose. Haven't we witnessed margining of society following the USSR collapse? So, the positivity mood prevails over biased announcements.

Are the announcements connected with the coming elections? It is difficult to answer unambiguously. There is an entire complex of connected issues: beginning from the social and cultural until geopolitical and geoeconomic ones.

Anyway, I would like to say that elections in Azerbaijan will differ greatly from those in the neighbor countries. We have chosen the way of democratic development, follow it and as a sovereign country, have a right to define terms and rates of movement towards the democratic consolidation.

/Day.Az/