Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Presidential Administrationâ€™s department chief: â€œFailure of the Public Chamber was naturalâ€

04 May 2011 16:05 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Parvin Abbasov â€“ APA. Interview with head of the public policy department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Ali Hasanov

- How do you assess the current socio-political situation in Azerbaijan?

- It is normal. The country lives in harmony and the parliament works according to its rhythmic schedule. The executive institutions, central and local executive authorities are doing their work. Public institutions of the society also continue their normal activity. Azerbaijan is on the eve of 20th anniversary of its independence. The head of state issued an order to mark the 20th anniversary and now preparations are going on for the celebrations. May is an intensive month. Series of events have been scheduled for this month in Azerbaijan. National Leader Heydar Aliyevâ€™s anniversary is coming. A contest commission is working for organizing the presentations of different awards, as well as prizes named after National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Our socio-political life is in its stable and dynamic development.

- Recently Freedom House released its report on the situation of freedom of media in the world. What do you think about that Azerbaijan was rated 171st among 196 countries?

- Representatives of our press, chairman of the Press Council, editors-in-chief of some leading newspapers expressed their opinions about this report. I agree with their opinions. Recently some international non-governmental organizations discredited themselves and they are working under the orders of different centers on the basis of subjective expressions. The above-mentioned organization is also among them. We see it as a frivolous organization and we donâ€™t comment on their opinion about Azerbaijan, because, I reiterate, this is not an objective organization and it is forming its ideas on the basis of subjective expressions. There is no point to comment on the opinions of such organizations.

- The last session of the Public Chamber didnâ€™t make concrete decision on rally. What do you think about this point and about the Public Union?

- It is natural that this organization, which calls itself as the Public Chamber, makes a decision to hold rally without public support, to involve the people in confrontation, to attempt to create confrontations in unauthorized places and etc. The people gathering there were known for their non-constructive and radical position, for their interests not coinciding with the interests of Azerbaijani society. There are certain people there, who engage in anti-Azerbaijan activities. There is no point to expect serious decision from the organization, which calls itself as â€œChamberâ€. I reiterate, they take to the streets to make something in Azerbaijan under the influence of processes in other countries and they fail as the organizations which have no social support and can not lead the serious people to the rallies. Their failure was natural. We donâ€™t expect anything else.

- Public Chamber prepared a roadmap. It also envisages political dialogue between the authorities and the Public Chamber. Is there a need to conduct any dialogue between the authorities and the opposition in the near future? Is it expected?

- As I have repeatedly commented on the issues related to the dialogue, I do not want to repeat it. We are conducting and will further conduct dialogue with the normal constructive part of the society, any socio-political institutions, parties having normal idea, thinking the Azerbaijani society, state, wishing to do something for its future. Every though has its place, importance in the Azerbaijani society. Every thought has the right to live. But I doubt that the roadmap of an organization, which goal is unknown, gathered around few ambitious persons and have no social support, will be favorable for the Azerbaijani society, or their proposal will produce good results. Therefore, it is not worth losing time.

- The representatives of six political parties represented in the parliament have recently prepared and submitted to the Presidential Administration the proposals on financing of the parties from the state budget. Does the administration have opinion on these proposals?

- As you know, law on â€œPolitical partiesâ€ was adopted in Azerbaijan in 1992. Actually, it is a declaration on political activity, because the new Constitution of Azerbaijan had not been adopted at that time, the processes of legal state-building had not started in Azerbaijan. Foreign, home policy, political party institution, public organizations, principles of the civil society had not been established in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan had not entered the Council of Europe, undertaken or fulfilled commitments. Actually, this is a law not conformed to Azerbaijanâ€™s current state and Constitution. Therefore, the initiative addressed by the parliament to Azerbaijani President was reported about to Mr. President. He is familiar with this initiative. Taking into account the need of the Azerbaijani society for it, the Presidential Administration supports broad discussion of this law and determination of the parameters of future development, principles of the political party institution. The parliament will likely start discussions soon. I think it requires some procedures. We plan to hold roundtables with the OSCE and the Council of Europe. Political party institution in Azerbaijan, its prospects will be discussed during these events. The idea of financing of political parties will also be discussed. The discussions will determine what the Azerbaijani society will bring to agenda, what will adopt.

- If the political parties are financed by the government, it will concern only the parties represented in the parliament, or all officially registered parties?

- I reiterate again, everything depends on the adoption of principles and parameters presented in the law. The point on political parties will be reflected only in this issue. It will describe the institution of political party, its structure, formation, development and transparency of party-building process without depending on the representation in the parliament.

- Some countries declared that they enhanced security steps after bin Ladenâ€™s death. Does Azerbaijan take any special security measures regarding that?

- We donâ€™t think that Azerbaijan faces with a serious terror threat, or any dangerous processes related to the terrorism. But at the same time, there is no country or territory in the world that can be insured against the terrorism. Azerbaijan always condemned and condemns all forms of terrorism.