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Mahmud Mammadguliyev: Neelie Kroes' groundless statements may damage relations between Azerbaijan and EU

14 November 2012 16:34 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev received Charge d'Affaires at the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Toralf Pilz, Charge d'Affaires at the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Foreign Ministry's press service told APA. The sides touched on the statement made by Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission, at the Internet Governance Forum in Baku last week.

Deputy Minister said that the views on the protection of human rights, freedom of speech and media in Azerbaijan expressed by Neelie Kroes at the forum and on her internet blog do not reflect reality. He expressed Azerbaijani government's serious discontent, said such groundless statements do not serve the spirit of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, may damage the bilateral relations.

Deputy Minister said Azerbaijan is carrying out reforms towards protection of democratization and human rights and has gained achievements in this sphere. Human rights, especially freedom of speech and media are always in the focus of Azerbaijani government's attention. More than 60 percent of Azerbaijani population have access to internet, an important tool in ensuring freedom of speech.

The government of Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the development of telecommunications technologies. Our country is an initiator of the great regional project such as the Trans-Eurasian Information Super Highway (TASIM).

Pilz was told that the claims about interference in the computers of Kroes’ assistants were groundless. The opposite side was informed that in such cases, local relevant agencies were immediately informed and it was surprising that Kroes didn’t do it.
As regards the fact that Kroes was not allowed to enter the correctional facility to meet with prisoners, Deputy Minister said that the representatives of international organizations and foreign countries can meet with prisoners in accordance with the current legislation with the consent of relevant structures of Azerbaijan. For example, the same week Nils MuiÅ¾nieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, and Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Representative for Media Freedom, met with several prisoners.