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PACE PRESIDENT ASKS RELEASING IMPRISONED AZERBAIJANI JOURNALISTS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 9 2007
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Rene van
der Linden held a press conference on the result of his visit in
Azerbaijan, APA reports. PACE President said that he has been to the
South Caucasus for a week.
"My visit demonstrates that Council of Europe attaches great importance
to the region," he said.
Supporting peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Rene
van der Linden said PACE can not force the parties to anything.
"I am concerned about the opinions about other ways of solution to the
conflict. I call for the parties to solve the conflict peacefully. The
troops should be immediately pulled out from the occupied territories,
that is PACE's position. International community should increase
pressure, and the Presidents of the two countries should make more
efforts for the solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict," he said.
Admiring the economic growth in Azerbaijan PACE President called for
the Council of Europe member states to keep up its values.
"Though there are improvements in this field, there also are
problems. 2008 presidential elections will serve as test for
the country. Azerbaijani government and the Venice Commission are
negotiating on relevant recommendations. That is good. The judicial
system need reforms, and media freedom should be fully ensured. The
opposition's right to media freedom should be ensured. I hope the
media will take an unbiased position during the elections," PACE
President said.
Stressing the importance of eliminating political prisoner problem in
a Council of Europe member state, Mr.van der Linden said he asked for
release of seven imprisoned journalists during his meetings in Baku.
Replying to journalists' questions PACE President said Armenia lags
behind on development, the borders of the two countries are closed.
"The pat should not put obstacle to the future. In this context, I
welcome the mutual visits by Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals,"
he concluded.
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 9 2007
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Rene van
der Linden held a press conference on the result of his visit in
Azerbaijan, APA reports. PACE President said that he has been to the
South Caucasus for a week.
"My visit demonstrates that Council of Europe attaches great importance
to the region," he said.
Supporting peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Rene
van der Linden said PACE can not force the parties to anything.
"I am concerned about the opinions about other ways of solution to the
conflict. I call for the parties to solve the conflict peacefully. The
troops should be immediately pulled out from the occupied territories,
that is PACE's position. International community should increase
pressure, and the Presidents of the two countries should make more
efforts for the solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict," he said.
Admiring the economic growth in Azerbaijan PACE President called for
the Council of Europe member states to keep up its values.
"Though there are improvements in this field, there also are
problems. 2008 presidential elections will serve as test for
the country. Azerbaijani government and the Venice Commission are
negotiating on relevant recommendations. That is good. The judicial
system need reforms, and media freedom should be fully ensured. The
opposition's right to media freedom should be ensured. I hope the
media will take an unbiased position during the elections," PACE
President said.
Stressing the importance of eliminating political prisoner problem in
a Council of Europe member state, Mr.van der Linden said he asked for
release of seven imprisoned journalists during his meetings in Baku.
Replying to journalists' questions PACE President said Armenia lags
behind on development, the borders of the two countries are closed.
"The pat should not put obstacle to the future. In this context, I
welcome the mutual visits by Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals,"
he concluded.