POLITICS
MM CHAIRMAN RECEIVED HEADS OF THE OSCE PA AND PACE OBSERVER MISSIONS
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament expressed his gratitude for accepting the invitation and coming to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has taken a number of obligations and has fulfilled all of them, Mr. Alaskarov stressed. Among the post soviet Republics, Azerbaijan, for the first time, adopted new Election Code, reflecting presidential, parliament, municipal elections and Referendum, the Law “On Ombudsman”, and the Country acceded to over 40 CE conventions and protocols. Some laws were brought in compliance with the European standards.
Speaker of Parliament updated the guests on preparation of elections, purchase of transparent ballot boxes, and equal start for all the candidacies for election campaign. He said that democratic elections have great importance for Azerbaijan that has chosen a democratic way of development and the government has mobilized to conduct free, fair and transparent elections. Over 1000 international observers have been invited to observe the elections.
Representatives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the Council of Europe will attentively watch the elections in Azerbaijan, head of the mission Kessler Jovannhi underlined. This is evidence to the interest in Azerbaijan by the world community. The guest also stressed that Election Code of Azerbaijan meets democratic norms and European standards. Both the government and opposition are responsible for democratic and transparent elections, he added.
Martines Kassan, head of the PACE mission, said that the European countries are keen in the election process in Azerbaijan. Representatives of some 40 countries will watch the elections.
The parties exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.