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OSCE, European Union and Council of Europe present plan for assisting Azerbaijan to prepare for parliamentary elections

07 April 2010 09:39 (UTC +04:00)

â€œThe electoral process is a key priority for the work of our organizations in Azerbaijan, as well as for the country itself as a member of the international communityâ€, said the organizationsâ€™ representatives Veronika Kotek (CoE), Roland Kobia (EU) and Ali Bilge Cankorel (OSCE).

â€œWe encourage the country to continue addressing the shortcomings as identified by international observers in previous elections. For this, an effort is needed by all the actors concerned and we stand ready to support this effortâ€, they said.

Cankorel told journalists that these three international organizations will concentrate on: enhancing political dialogue, strengthening the capacities and independence of the electoral administration and other relevant actors; supporting a media environment that will ensure independent, unbiased and plural coverage of the electoral campaigns of all candidates; encouraging the proper implementation of the Law on Freedom of Assembly; and stimulating public interest and participation in the electoral process, including by women and young people.

The three organizations will work together with public authorities as wel as civil society and will develop their plans in a concerted and coherent manner to ensure that their assistance best contributes to the efforts of Azerbaijan to hold free and fair parliamentary elections.

Head of the CoE Office in Baku Veronika Kotek said Azerbaijan achieved significant progress in the election process. â€œWe prepared the plan of measures for assisting Azerbaijan in the upcoming parliamentary elections after the consultations with the Government and civil society of Azerbaijan. The program covers four categories: lawmaking aspect, work with the Central election Commission and other institutions which organize the elections, work with the mass media as a part of democratic society and work with the citizens to create an active electoral atmosphere.

Head of the EU representation Roland Kobia noted that EU also stands ready to assist Azerbaijan to organize the parliamentary elections. â€œThe European Union is already carrying out several projects concerning the freedom of mass media, stimulating the civil society to participate in the elections and technical improvement of the election processâ€.