Azerbaijani MPs back Kyrgyzstan’s partnership with Council of Europe
Strasbourg, April 9 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijani MPs have supported the Kyrgyz government’s appeal to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for partner for democracy status as the issue was considered at the Assembly`s spring session in Strasbourg.
Speaking during the debates, Samad Seyidov, head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, said: “The topic we debate on today is very important. On behalf of the European Democrat Group (Bureau) and Azerbaijan that I represent here I welcome our Kyrgyz brothers and sisters who are present in the Assembly today. Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan belong to the same family. We have common historical roots. I’m delighted that you are among us today and you share the values that we are defending here. This is also a challenge to fight for the democracy, human rights and the rule of law. You can achieve this. The country’s history and experience confirms that Kyrgyzstan may be a part of CoE’s large space. I hope that your country will support human rights along with 47 countries of the Council of Europe. Human rights are a difficult issue. This is a serious issue not only in some of the countries of the Council of Europe, but also in your region. I hope that during this period you will ensure the rule of law which is very important.
Dear friends, dear brothers and sisters I would like to say you welcome to your home on behalf of the European Democrat Group (Bureau) and Azerbaijan. Today you are in your home.’”
Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva said Kyrgyzstan was the first country in the Central Asia to apply for the partner for democracy status.
She noted the move “deserves an applause and support”. “By taking this step Kyrgyzstan demonstrated that it has chosen European experience and the Council of Europe standards for the country’s future progress.”
Pashayeva said: “I would like to note that Kyrgyz people and parliament are taking serious steps in order to strengthen the CoE values such as human rights, democracy, freedom of speech, free and democratic elections, and the rule of law in the country. We must take these steps serious as Kyrgyzstan is situated in a very important and complicated region. After regaining its independence the country faced many economic difficulties, despite serious internal and external political issues the country progresses guiding the democracy on its development. We can see this in the abolition of the death penalty, the constitutional reforms to boost the progress of the political institutes, free and fair elections, gender equality in the political and public life, granting equal rights to women and men, involvement of non-government organizations in the legislative and executive bodies’ activities, struggle against corruption, progress of the local democracy and reforms in this areas. Granting partner for democracy status to Kyrgyzstan the Assembly will strengthen the partliament’s and non-governmental organizations’ activities in the progress of democracy, protection of human rights, fundamental freedom and the rule of law. The Assembly’s granting Kyrgyzstan the partner for democracy status will strengthen the partnership between PACE and the country. On eth other hand Kyrgyzstan’s democratic institutes will develop rapidly, and this will encourage essential reforms in the area. Relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are developing and we attach a particular importance to improving this partnership greatly.”
In 2009 Assembly established a new status for institutional co-operation with parliaments of non-member states in neighboring regions wishing to be supported by the Assembly in their democratic transitions and to participate in the political debate on common challenges.
The new status is called "Partner for democracy" and interested states could obtain it if they commit to embrace the values of the Council of Europe such as pluralist democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; to encourage a moratorium on executions and abolish the death penalty; to organize free and fair elections; to become party to the relevant CoE conventions; to utilize the expertize of the Assembly and the Venice Commission in its institutional and legislative work.
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