BAKU HOSTS CONFERENCE TO MARK COE`S 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Baku, 21 December (AZERTAC). A conference to mark the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe was organized Monday here by the Council of State Support to NGOs under the Azerbaijan President.
Opening the event, chairman of the Council, MP Azay Guliyev briefed the participants on the history of the Council of Europe and reforms carried in Azerbaijan since the country joined the Organization.
Guliyev noted his country fulfilled majority of its obligations and commitments before the Council of Europe. “But unfortunately, CoE does not distinguish between occupant and a country subjected to occupation.”
Deputy speaker of Milli Majlis Bahar Muradova said laws being adopted in Azerbaijan had been brought in line with European standards after the country became a member of the Organization.
She noted her country had done significant reforms to ensure freedom of mass media and protection of human rights.
“Azerbaijan has already demonstrated that it is committed to its obligations before the Council of Europe.”
Representative of Azerbaijan to the European Court of Human Rights Chingiz Asgarov spoke of relationship between Azerbaijan and CoE.
He pointed out Azerbaijan was recognized as a tolerant country in all regional and international organizations. He particularly underscored the importance of the fact that Azerbaijan abolished the death penalty before it joined the Council of Europe.
CoE special representative in Azerbaijan Veronika Kotek told of the history of the Organization saying it was set up after the WWII to contribute to restoring relations among nations.
A book entitled “Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe” was presented during the event.
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