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Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry: The statement issued by the EU reflects biased approach and attempts of political pressure

13 February 2014 15:59 (UTC +04:00)

Abdullayev said that the statement issued by Catherine Ashton and Stefan Fule on the annexes and amendments made to the law on NGOs aimed at increasing transparency in the activity of civil society in Azerbaijan Republic and further improving NGOs and the current legal base in this sphere evokes surprise and misunderstanding: “I wonder what “reliable” sources the EU cites to while issuing such statements. The recent annexes and amendments made to the law on NGOs were thoroughly discussed by NGOs, the Azerbaijani Parliament, the Ministry of Justice and representatives of international organizations and proposals put forward by civil society representatives were also taken into consideration. It was finally decided that the recent annexes and amendments developed basing on the Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic and the European Convention on Human Rights would contribute to increasing transparency in the activity of civil society and developing the NGOs. The legislation of Azerbaijan Republic regulating the activity of NGOs and civil society does not lag behind the relevant legislations of the European countries, on the contrary, is more democratic than those of some European countries. The statement made by the EU without estimating the measures taken towards the development of NGOs and civil society in Azerbaijan and achievements made in this sphere reflects biased approach and attempts of political pressure.”