PACE MONITORING COMMITTEE HELD SESSION
The issues connected with Russia and Georgia was not discussed because of New Year arrangements in the first country and presidential elections in the second.
Member of the Azerbaijan delegation Bakhtiyar Aliyev said to AzerTAj correspondent:
“At the beginning of the session, the Committee chairman, the French deputy Josй Druie and the participants revered memory of the outstanding political figure of world and renowned statesman President Heydar Aliyev, gave high assessment to his invaluable activity in development of democracy and admission of Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe and expressed condolence to the Azerbaijan delegation.
In the course of discussion of Armenia’s obligations, members of Azerbaijan delegation protested to the resolution of the report, insisting to amend it. The resolution included words “Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the occupied territories”, in which the Armenians did not indicate lands of which country and by whom had been occupied. It meant that Nagorno Karabakh was a separate subject and the “occupied territories” remained indefinite.
To this end, we have made certain proposals that aroused protest of Armenians, reiterating that the conflict is not between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, which, also met with irony and sarcasm of the Committee members, Mr. Bakhtiyar Aliyev underlined.
Speaking around the issue, the Committee members stated that the Council of Europe has respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of each country and that Nagorno Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan. Touching the issue, Mr. David Atkinson, Deputy from England said that Nagorno Karabakh is not only the territory of Azerbaijan, and even it is the internal question of Azerbaijan. Protest of Armenians in this issue is out of any logic, he stressed.
Thus, the motions and proposals made by the Azerbaijani deputies were accepted and the aforementioned resolution was amended.
Fulfillment by Azerbaijan its obligations also caused large debates. The report however did not reflect the latest changes and amendments in the legislation by Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan Republic. Head of the Azerbaijan delegation Samad Seyidov sent a relevant letter to the chairman of Monitoring Committee Mr. J. Druie, informing on treatment of the OSCE Baku Office as well as expert groups towards the newly adopted Drafts. The Committee members positively regarded the item, MP Bakhtiyar Aliyev said.
PACE Monitoring Committee also focused the issue of passed presidential elections in Azerbaijan on which was reached certain positive understanding.
According to the MP, speakers at the session appreciated fulfillment by Azerbaijan its obligations, decisive steps made by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, his Decree on amnesty of prisoners, other measures in the direction of deepening democratic processes in the country. They expressed confidence that the Council of Europe would support every step of Azerbaijan President to develop democracy in Azerbaijan.
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