US ambassador to Azerbaijan: "It is necessary to create normal pre-election climate for conduction of democratic elections"

"Dialogue on democracy between Azerbaijan and the United States has covered a wide range of issues. The sides discussed issues of elections, human rights, freedom of speech and different issues of democratic development", said Derse Tuesday, commenting on the results of a dialogue between Azerbaijan and the United States, according to Novosti-Azerbaijan.

Democratic and economic reforms in Azerbaijan were discussed during the meeting with officials of Azerbaijan and representatives, dealing with issues of democracy and human rights, during the Baku visit of David Kramer, US assistant secretary of state for democracy and human rights.

According to the ambassador, the Azerbaijani side was informed that "those countries which share their values with the United States are considered its best partners".

As for the state of mass media, Derse said there is no democracy without media development and "therefore, it is necessary to create normal conditions for freedom of press".

"It is inadmissible to arrest journalists for articles, they write. It is necessary to exclude the article on libel and defamation from the Criminal Code", said she.

Speaking about the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan, the diplomat noted that the Azerbaijani government promised to hold free and transparent elections.

"Official Washington considers it necessary to create normal election climate in the country and ensure freedom of assembly in the country, free access of candidates to press and create atmosphere for free self-expression of citizens during the election campaign for conduction of democratic elections", she noted.

To remind, this is the third dialogue. The first dialogue on democracy was held between Azerbaijan and the United States in December of 2006. In this connection, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister visited Washington. The second virtual dialogue was held in a form of a telebridge between the US department of state and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry in August of 2007.