ArmInfo.Official Baku intends to adequately respond to the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) not to approve the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, APA reports.
As the source notes, "Although it was noted that the limitation of powers of the Azerbaijani delegation does not mean the termination of Azerbaijan's participation in other structures of the Council of Europe, Baku's position is different."
It is noted that "Azerbaijan is not going to accept this unfair and prejudiced attitude towards itself, and currently, not only PACE, but also the procedure of withdrawing from the Council of Europe in general is being investigated by the official Baku. At the same time, Azerbaijan may refuse to recognize the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights."
On January 24, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, which were challenged on the opening day of the session, concluding that the country has "not fulfilled major commitments" stemming from its joining the Council of Europe 20 years ago.
As noted in the resolution, Azerbaijan has not fulfilled the basic obligations arising from its accession to the Council of Europe 20 years ago. "Very serious concerns remain as to [Azerbaijan's] ability to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-…-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the Venice Commission," the Assembly said in a resolution, based on a report by Mogens Jensen (Denmark, SOC). The resolution was adopted today with 76 votes in favour, 10 against and 4 abstentions.