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CE Cabinet of Ministers passes non-binding decision on Azerbaijan

24 April 2008 10:38 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijani representation to CE told APA. The report on Azerbaijan contains the issues of Electoral Code, arrests with political motives, current situation of freedoms of speech and press in the country. AGO Group underlined the importance of amendments to Electoral Code and cooperation with Venice commission toward the amendments of â€œFreedom of Assemblyâ€ bill. The group reported its meetings with the government officials, NGOs, public community and arrested journalists and said there was significant progress in the fulfilling of obligations that Azerbaijan had undertaken to the Council of Europe. Generally AGO Group has positively appreciated the situation in Azerbaijan and emphasized the progress they observed since the previous visit. Arif Mammadov, head of the Azerbaijani Permanent Mission to CE said the Government of Azerbaijan highly appreciated CE activity in the above-mentioned fields and intended to develop intensive cooperation. Following the hearing of report, the Cabinet of Ministers passed decision, which advises to Azerbaijan to make amendments to â€œFreedom of Assemblyâ€ bill within a month, to work seriously for releasing of three arrested journalists and to provide effective preparations for the presidential elections.