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Council of Europe Secretary General: The upcoming parliamentary elections are important challenge for Azerbaijan

05 June 2010 14:24 (UTC +04:00)

I think acceptance of these opinions, commissionâ€™s recommendations by governments and parliaments would be the most proper step in order to ensure democracy, human rights. It is very important for the Venice Commission to function successfully in future, too,â€ Secretary General of the Council of Europe ThorbjÃ¸rn Jagland told APAâ€™s special correspondent in Venice. Secretary General also touched on the relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe. According to him, the Council of Europe offers assistance to Azerbaijan, like to other countries in improving human rights.
â€œWe hope that Azerbaijan is in the right direction in improving this issue. We always offer assistance and we will continue to do it. Nevertheless, I should note that there are some problems in the field of human rights and freedom of speech,â€ he said.

Secretary General said the upcoming parliamentary elections are very important for Azerbaijan.
â€œThis is an important challenge for the country. International observers, including Council of Europeâ€™s observation mission will follow these elections. I hope these elections will be democratic and transparent and no side will manipulate these elections. This is of course, very important for us, we as the Council of Europe do not take anybodyâ€™s side in the elections. We simply want fair elections and want to assist in it. We will do it by observing these elections. We can not use other means, as it may be assessed as interference in the elections,â€ he said.

Asked about the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh, ThorbjÃ¸rn Jagland said the following:
â€œOSCE Minsk Group is engaged in the resolution of this conflict. As far as I know, there is no much progress in the current stage. It is important that the negotiations improve. If Minsk Group asks us to help, we can help. But we have not received such an offer. We do not support exertion of any pressure on the members of the Council of Europe in this issue. The only thing that we can do is to help the sides to establish normal relations,â€ he said.