PACE President encourages pursuit of negotiations within the Minsk Group to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh

Following a visit to Baku, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) made a statement calling for reinforced co-operation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, with a view to preparing for the forthcoming Azerbaijani chairmanship of the Council's Committee of Ministers, beginning in May 2014.

"Since its independence and accession to the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan has undergone significant changes that pave the way for building a prosperous society based on European values and focusing on European and transatlantic partnership" he declared.

He added "I welcome the country's progress in honouring the commitments and obligations it entered into upon its accession, and in particular the fact that Azerbaijan has signed and ratified all of the Council of Europe conventions which it undertook to adhere to, with but one exception.  I also note the advances made in reforming
the judiciary and combating corruption".

"However, some important reforms are not yet complete, and I call on the authorities to implement all of the Assembly's recommendations set out in Resolution 1917 (2013) on the honouring of obligations and commitments by Azerbaijan. Full respect for fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of expression, assembly and association, is essential, and the legislation and regulations, as well as their application in practice, must be fully consistent with Council of Europe standards."

On this subject, the PACE President encouraged the authorities to implement more effective co- operation with the Venice Commission by seeking its advice from the outset of the legislative process. He urged them to take full account of the Commission's recommendations.

The PACE President also pointed out that the presidential elections, to be held this year, will be a key test for the country's democratic institutions and called for full respect of European standards in electoral matters, so that the elections could take place in a pluralistic environment and with free and open political debate.

On the issue of alleged political prisoners, the PACE President recalled the Assembly's position rejecting selective justice and politically motivated prosecutions in all countries. He called on the authorities to implement the PACE resolutions on this question, notably Resolution 1917 (2013) on the honouring of obligations and
commitments by Azerbaijan. "The charges brought against Ilgar Mammadov have raised serious concerns in all European and international organisations, and I hope that the Azerbaijani courts will decide the case in a completely independent and impartial manner and in full compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights", said the PACE President.

He recalled the importance attached by PACE to Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and encouraged the pursuit of the negotiations taking place within the Minsk Group to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. "On their accession to the Council of Europe, Armenia and Azerbaijan undertook to find a peaceful solution to this
conflict. Our Assembly is ready to do everything it can, through parliamentary diplomacy, to facilitate dialogue and establish a climate of trust between the two delegations."