POSITION OF AZERBAIJAN EXPLAINED AT THE CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS IN STRASBOURG
The meeting of chairmen of parliaments of the Southern Caucasus countries was held on 17 May. At the meeting, discussed were issues of cooperation of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Chairman of the parliament of Armenia has put forward an idea of adjustment of cooperation between the countries of Southern Caucasus and creation of joint parliamentary assembly of these countries. The Azerbaijan side, explaining the position concerning the question, has stated that our country, in fact, is not against such cooperation.
It has been marked that Azerbaijan has adjusted very good relations with the next Russia, Turkey and Georgia. And as to Armenia, if this country will refuse the aggressive policy and will return the occupied Azerbaijan lands, only in this case it is possible to speak about any cooperation with it. And consequently the Azerbaijan side has made resolute protest against the offer of chairman of the parliament of Armenia on creation of joint Parliamentary Assembly of the countries of Southern Caucasus.
On May 18, in the residence of the Council of Europe was held a conference on the topic “Is our democracy democratic?” Chairman Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov made remarks the conference.
Having noted, that after gaining state independence our country has selected the way of integration to Europe, chairman of parliament Murtuz Alaskarov has told: Azerbaijan has great potential to deepen democracy. This potential is enriched with centuries-old traditions and tolerance of our people, he stressed. For the last years, in Azerbaijan radical political, economic, social-legal reforms have been conducted, the notable achievements in restoration of the European values, creation of democratic institutes in maintenance of the rights and freedom of the person, transition to market economy were reached.
He has emphasized that one third of clauses of the new Constitution of Azerbaijan adopted in 1995 is devoted to maintenance of the rights and freedom of the person. In our country, tens political parties function. Censorship has been cancelled. There is an independent TV and radio displaying all sides of political life of Azerbaijan. Consecutive work is being carried out in the field of maintenance of the rights of national minorities, freedom of faith, more than 600 nongovernmental public organizations have been registered in the country.
Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament has especially emphasized that one of the important steps undertaken by our state in the field of protection of human rights, is adoption in 1993 of the moratorium on application of death penalty and cancellation for the first time in the East in 1998 of this kind of punishment. In the country, radical judicial reforms have been carried out and the three-stage judicial system created. Penitentiary system was harmonized with the European standards. On the basis of multi-party system democratic, fair, free, transparent presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections were repeatedly carried out. In 2001, Azerbaijan became a full member of the Council of Europe.
Chairman of Milli Majlis has told: “Our country confidently marches ahead on the way of deepening of democracy. As the head of Azerbaijan State Ilham Aliyev in April, in the spring session of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has stated, Azerbaijan will never change the way of construction of a democratic, legal, civil society.
In detail informing on the historical roots and heavy consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament has emphasized that as a result of this conflict the one fifth of the Country’s territory up today is under occupation, one million people, that is each eighth inhabitant is refugee and IDP. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict continuing more than a decade, certainly, delays the process of democratic transformations that renders negative influence not only on these countries, but also to all Southern Caucasus. The occupied lands of Azerbaijan have turned to uncontrollable zone. They became the center for preparation of terrorists, cultivation of narcotics, burial places of radioactive wastes, trade of the weapon and people. However, we are sure, that the victory will triumph and that this heavy problem for Azerbaijan will be solved by peace way according to all norms and principles of international law, and the main thing, on the basis of principles of inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of borders of the states.
Statement of the Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament has been listened with attention and interest.
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The meeting of chairmen of parliaments of the GUUAM countries also was held in Strasbourg. At the meeting attended by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, discussed were the questions of preparation for constituent conference in connection with creation of parliamentary assemblies of member-countries of this international organization.
The vice-president of parliament of Ukraine, chairmen of parliaments of Georgia and Moldova have noted special role of GUUAM, created in 1997, in development and strengthening of relations between the these member-countries, have emphasized necessity of creation of Parliamentary Assembly of the structure.
Speaking at the sitting, Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov has noted, that two more years back during his visit to Ukraine he has drawn attention to the initiative of the Azerbaijan on creation of Parliamentary Assembly of the GUUAM countries. And, since we support this offer, he stressed.
During the discussions, exchanged were opinions on definition of place and date of carrying out of constituent conference. The sides came to a consensus to conduct the conference in second half of September in the capital of Ukraine, Kiev, or in Yalta.
At the conferences and meetings participating was the head of the permanent mission of Azerbaijan at the Council of Europe, ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev.
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