France clarifies EU statement on Azerbaijan’s presidential elections

"Within the EU framework, France stresses efforts of Azerbaijan’s governmental organizations in preparations for October 15 presidential elections in improved conditions.

Azerbaijan made significant progress in the elections", says the response statement of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Issues: "France, on behalf of the EU Presidency, spread enough critical statement in regard to the October 15 presidential elections in Azerbaijan. Taken the political reality of the Caucasus into consideration, does it seem to you that greater progress was achieved in these elections in comparison with previous ones?"

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Issues noted that France welcomed progress made in this direction.

"Despite that the elections do not meet the OSCE and CE standards fully, we encourage the Azerbaijani governmental institutions to continue to take into consideration the observations of these organizations within their reforms. France, as the European Union, intends to support development and strengthening of democratic institutions in Azerbaijan and to cooperate closely with its Azerbaijani partner. France’s October 17 statement on behalf of EU Presidency means that."

/APA/