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Arif Mammadov: â€œAgoâ€ group is expected to visit Azerbaijan by the presidential elections

23 May 2008 17:31 (UTC +04:00)

Head of Azerbaijanâ€™s Permanent Representation to CE, Ambassador Arif Mammadov told APAâ€™s Europe bureau that it was a meeting of familiarization. They discussed the prospects of the groupâ€™s cooperation with Azerbaijan, pre-election situation. Ogtay Asadov briefed about the reforms carried out in Azerbaijan in connection with the elections and legislation. Speaker said the country leadership wanted to hold democratic elections and added that Azerbaijan insisted on holding the most democratic, transparent elections in line with the European standards.
The recent visit of â€œAgoâ€ group was also discussed at the meeting.
â€œA very positive report has been presented to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers. Generally, the report assessed the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan positively. Of course, the report also touches on the necessity of adopting the laws on national minorities and alternative military service. These issues are among the commitments undertaken by Azerbaijan. Besides, it was also recommended to closely cooperate with the Venice Commission for amending the Electoral Code. We agreed to continue the cooperation with â€œAgoâ€ group in future,â€ he said.
A. Mammadov added that new Chairman of â€œAgoâ€ Group was expected to pay a visit to Azerbaijan by the presidential elections. I have had a private meeting with Ambassador Stelian Stoian. He also spoke about his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan. It should be mentioned that the new ambassador is well aware of the region. Prior to this, he was Romanian Deputy Foreign Minister and worked in Romanian Presidential Office. He has been to Azerbaijan and Armenia over and over again as a member of â€œAgoâ€ Group delegation. To Mammadov, a great number of issues of primary importance, including the law on Alternative Military Service in Azerbaijan were in the focus of attention during the meeting.