PACE: Azerbaijan's execution of its obligations is commendable

The main purpose of the meeting with members of the parties represented in the Azerbaijani parliament is to discuss support to be provided to the development of democratic processes in the country, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Movlud Cavusoglu said.

"Azerbaijan has fulfilled most of the commitments that undertook before the Council of Europe and this is commendable," Cavusoglu said at the meeting.

Chavusoglu said given that democratic development is a quite lengthy process, it is necessary to support the work being done in this regard in Azerbaijan.

"For this reason I decided to get acquainted with the ideas suggested by members of the parties represented in the Azerbaijani parliament," Cavusoglu added.

Ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) Deputy Chairman and Executive Secretary Ali Ahmedov, congratulated Cavusoglu on his election as PACE president and expressed confidence that during his presidency the Council of Europe will turn into the structure justifying the aspirations of the Azerbaijani people.

Ahmadov said the question of execution of the commitments take before the CE, is constantly in the center of Azerbaijan's attention.

"We are faithful to the path we have chosen for the further strengthening of democratic institutions, he added.

Azerbaijan, as a member of CE, has not only obligations but also rights. "The country's 20% of territory was occupied by Armenia. We have certain expectations from the structure on the issue of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Today, invader Armenia and Azerbaijan, whose lands are under Armenia's occupation, are represented in the same structure and we regard this as injustice," Ahmadov added.

No guarantees for the restoration of Azerbaijan's rights harm the credibility of such a structure, as CE, Ahmadov said. "We are confident that in the period of your activity, you will keep this matter under consideration," he said.

"In 2010, Azerbaijan will hold parliamentary elections and we would like you to assist in resolving some issues related to democratization," Great Establishment Party (GEP) Chairman, MP Fazil Mustafa, said

The full composition of the Central Election Commission (CEC), the adoption of the new law "On political parties" and the bill on political opposition must be provided in the run up to the parliamentary elections, Mustafa said.

"We are dissatisfied with the activities of the CE Baku representative office. The party representatives are invited to the activities organized by this structure in accordance with personal preferences of the organizers," Mustafa said.


/Trend/