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Arif Mammadov: There will be a meeting in Baku with presence of Venice Commission in early October

22 August 2007 15:55 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijanâ€™s Permanent Representative to Council of Europe, Ambassador Arif Mammadovâ€™s interview to APA.

-PACE Monitoring Committee rapporteur Andres Herkel said that he will raise an issue on the current state of Azeri mediaâ€¦

-Yes, he did, but the issue is not yet on the agenda. We would have been informed if there had been such an issue. Maybe co-rapporteurs made speech at committee or sub-committee. It is not expected that any issue on Azerbaijan would be discussed at PACE fall session.
-Will issue on Azerbaijanâ€™s implementing European Courtâ€™s decisions be discussed?
-We have enough time for this issue. There is no threat of raising any issue in this case. We are for documents on the implementation of new decision. The issue is not on the agenda.
-What about talks between Venice Commission and Azerbaijani government on the Election Code and law on freedom of assemblyâ€?

-There will a roundtable in Baku early in October with the presence of Venice Commission. The talks will focus on the composition of election commissions and procedures of considering complaints. I can say that negotiations are underway at present. High-level experts of Presidentâ€™s Office, parliament and Central Election Commission are involved in this issue, individual talks are underway.
-What is your assessment of Ago groupâ€™s still considering Azerbaijan in the list of countries under monitoring?
-AGO group has visited Azerbaijan recently, the group working normally regarding Azerbaijan, and major steps have been taken. The group gives recommendations and we are closely cooperating. This is very important for us. I want to mention that post-monitoring procedures exist for Eastern European countries. It means that if our cooperation with this group is suspended and all the commitments are fulfilled, post-monitoring procedures will continue. We are not yet going to stop cooperation with the Group.
-Will Council of Europe senior officials visit Azerbaijan?

-Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammerberg is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan on September 2-8 this year. The Commissioner will visit Sumgayit and Ganja in the framework of his visit. I will also participate in this visit, and then he will draw up a report.
-PACE President Rene van der Lindenâ€™s tenure expires in January, 2008. Who is the real candidate for this post?

-Chairman of PACE delegation (Russian Duma) Michael Margelovâ€™s candidacy is on the agenda, I think. He is much likely to be elected to this post, as his candidacy is supported.

-Are there any new reports regarding Nagorno Karabakh Subcommittee membersâ€™ visit to the region?

-Armenians did not attend the last meeting of the subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh chaired by Lord Russel-Johnston. CE was dissatisfied with it. We did not protest the committee membersâ€™ visiting region, we always actively participated in the work of the Subcommittee. But Lord Russel-Johnston has already stopped his activity due to his retirement. Therefore, this issue is due to be delayed. The visit is delayed as there is no agreement in the negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict yet. Armenia is demonstrating a very unconstructive position in this issue. /APA/