Baku. Victoria Dementyeva – APA. “Azerbaijan remains an important partner for the US. The cooperation between the countries is carried out in three directions – democratic development, security and energy,” said Thomas Melia, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor at the press conference, APA reports.
Thomas Melia said that he had held meetings with officials and representatives of civil society in Baku and called on Azerbaijan to develop pluralism, fundamental freedoms, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
He noted that the US offers Azerbaijan to take 4 steps to maintain political stability in the important election year. These proposals include serious investigation of pressures on journalists, political activists, release of young political activists arrested over using the right of freedom of expression, activation of the dialogue with the civil society, including Free Thought University and other NGOs, deepening of the dialogue with the political parties, open debates with them.
“Holding free and fair elections this year is important for us," said Thomas Melia and expressed his confidence that the elections will be held in line with the standards of OSCE and other international organizations.
As regards media reports that he used the expression "redline" regarding Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's participation in the presidential elections, Thomas Melia said media misrepresented his views, he did not say so.
Asked about the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev's running for a third term, Thomas Melia said that president is elected by people: “In 2009, referendum was held in Azerbaijan to make amendments to the Constitution. Then a number of international political circles expressed their concerns. But the previous world experience does not allow to automatically give the answer, whether these are positive or negative amendments. What is more important is the essence and atmosphere the of election campaign.”
Thomas Melia said at the press conference that this is his third visit to Azerbaijan in the past 18 months. Asked what changes he observed in Azerbaijan in the field of human rights after his previous visit, Melia said compared to the previous visit the current situation, the increase of the number of imprisoned political activists raise concern.
According to him, tomorrow the US Department of State will release annual report on the state of human rights in the world.
"More accurate view on Azerbaijan will be available there," he said.
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