AT THE PACE FALL SESSION
A. Gross who always took a prejudiced position concerning Azerbaijan, remaining true to himself, has stated that after disintegration of Soviet Union, in views of citizens of Azerbaijan there are no serious changes, and he tried to justify instigators of disorders during October events of 2003. His Estonian colleague, as if trying to keep abreast with him, has declared that the press undergoes pressure, and in judicial system radical restructurings are not carried out.
During debate on the report, acted on behalf of various groups and sides was Malcolm Bruce (Great Britain), Movlud Chavushoglu (Turkey), Anatoly Rakhansky (Ukraine), Leonid Slutsky (Russia), Goran Lundblad (Sweden), Yunal Lutteri (Bulgaria), and also Samad Seyidov and Gultekin Hajiyeva (Azerbaijan), having answered the co-rapporteurs, have emphasized, that recently in Azerbaijan there are big and important alterations corresponding requirements of the Council of Europe, that in consciousness of people living in the democratic state, there was a fundamental change and that the law on public TV has been adopted, successfully realizing the reforms in the country President Ilham Aliyev has signed in short time four Decrees on pardoning and that Azerbaijan has fully fulfilled the obligations taken before admission to the Council of Europe, and held a worthy place in the Organization. They have expressed deep confidence that as a result of conducted purposeful reforms Azerbaijan shortly will turn in the advanced powerful state in region of the Southern Caucasus.
The orators underlined that development in Azerbaijan testifies to mutual cooperation and trust between this country and the Council of Europe, that our state has joined majority of the international conventions, that in the country carried out all-round legal reforms, judicial bodies will be improved, that prolongation by the special Decree of the President for three years of term of repayment of duties of newspapers serves publishing house display of care of press, that for short time President Ilham Aliyev has undertaken serious steps in connection with reforms in political, economic and social spheres and for activity of democratic institutes all conditions have been created.
Having touched the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh problem, the deputies have expressed serious concern in connection with this unsolved question having reminded of inadmissibility of occupation by one state - member of the Council of Europe of 20 percent of territory of other member of the organization, that as a result of stay more than one million person in position of refugees and IDPs Azerbaijan has faced the heaviest problem, that the children who have been born in tent towns are deprived of normal care that the European states without due insistence concern to the conflict and that contrary to international legal norms, Armenia breaks territorial integrity of the sovereign state and does not carry out four Resolutions of Security Council of the United Nations.
In the remarks, it has been especially underlined, that carrying out by Armenia and so-called “Nagorny Karabakh Republic” joint military exercises in occupied Nagorny Karabakh region and adjacent regions of Azerbaijan represents serious threat for peace in region, that on occupied territories narcotic plants, and drugs received from them are transported to the European countries, that in the said terrorists are prepares in the said regions.
In conclusion, the deputies made amendments in the resolution on the report.
***
In second half of day, discussed was the question “Participation of women in elections”. Both in the report and in statements, it has been marked that recently in many countries activity of women in elective bodies gradually raises, the majority of them are appointed to high posts, as an example for other countries, Sweden, where the number of women in the elective organizations makes 40 percent. It has been underlined, that in member-countries of the Council of Europe, necessary work on activation of participation of the women in elections is not carried out and with a view of elimination of gap in this sphere a special resolution is being prepared.
The same day, the Princedom of Monaco was admitted to the Council of Europe. The document on it was signed by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis and Prince of Monaco Albert de Monaco. Thus, Monaco became the 46th CE member.
Other news in this section
