PACE spring session ended

As APA reports, the report was prepared by Litvian PM Boris Silevich. About 40 deputies have participated in hearings since the report was presented in the last hours of the session.

Though suggested amendments in the report were about 35, an hour and half hour has been allotted for it. Azerbaijani delegation made 18 amendments to Armenian deputies one amendment to the report. Other amendments were suggested by Leo Platvoet and other PACE members.

Boris Silevich has stated in his report that assistance should be rendered to refuges and displaced persons in the South Caucasus. He stressed the three countries' government should do their best to return people back to native lands, and added that returning of refugees home should be implemented voluntary.

The reporter highly appreciated the aid rendered to refugees and displaced people by Azerbaijan Oil Fund. However, he called international organizations to continue help the refugees in the region.

Azerbaijani delegation was dissatisfied for mentioning low number of Azerbaijanis displaced from Armenia in the report.

Member of the delegation Gultakin Hajiyeva suggested to amend the report by including that 250,000 Azerbaijanis were displaced from Armenia.

Although this proposal was protested by the Head of the Armenian delegation in PACE Tigran Torosyan. MP Samad Seyidov in his speech criticized preparation of the report mainly on humanitarian grounds.

"I agree with it, but political factors and this issue should not be separated from each-other. If we are searching for the real ways to solve the problem, then first of all, we must touch the reasons of occurrence of the refugees and IDP problem. The root of this problem is occupation of the Azerbaijani territories by the Armed Forces of Armenia and as a result of it, today rights of hundred thousands of Azerbaijanis are being violated. The international community still pays no heed to the refugees and IDP problem".

After the additions and amendments, the report was adopted with 37 affirmative and 1 neutral votes. So, the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ended its work.