Menu
Latest
Menu
Latest
News

Azerbaijan Deputy Foregin Minister argues against Azerbaijan leaving Council of Europe

27 October 2017

The future of Azerbaijan as a member of the Council of Europe is currently a matter of discussion in both Strasbourg and Baku. 

In the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and in the organisations Committee of Ministers, Azerbaijan has been criticised for failing to adhere with some of the Council of Europe's criteria, and of not implementing decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Informally, there have been suggestions that Azerbaijan's membership of the Council or the Parliamentary Assembly may be suspended.

read more here

In Baku, there have been accusations of a campaign against Azerbaijan in European circles, and some have suggested that Azerbaijan should leave the Council of Europe unilaterally.

Azerbaijan's veteran deputy Foreign Minister Mahmoud Mammedguliev, who is also responsible for relations with the European Union, has stepped into the discussion with an exclusive interview carried on the influential web portal Haqqin.az, arguing against leaving, and reminding of some of the history of the relations between Azerbaijan and the Council.   

"I do not think that Azerbaijan's withdrawal from the Council of Europe is the right idea. Despite double standards and injustice towards Azerbaijan, I believe that we must remain in this organisation and continue to defend our position".

Mahmud Mammadguliyev noted that even before Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe as a full member, he headed the Azerbaijani delegation in this structure for many years.

"The late Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to relations with the Council of Europe. It was on his instructions that we held long negotiations on joining this organisation. I do not think that simply because there are several anti-Azerbaijani elements, we should surrender our positions". Referring to recent statements by Council of Europe Secretary-General, Jagland, Mahmud Mammadguliev said he was not the entire organization. "Today he is there, tomorrow he will not be. But in the Council of Europe there are 47 states, with which Azerbaijan has established excellent relations".

According to Deputy Minister, Azerbaijan has the same rights in the Council of Europe as all the other members.

"We entered this organization voluntarily and consciously. My position is that we must remain in it and defend our positions. No one can interfere with the activities of Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe", he said.

source: commonspace.eu with haqqin.az

photo: Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammedguliev

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged
Trending

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

9 June 2021
Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
More clashes between police and protestors in Tbilisi as government pushes through "foreign agents law"
Trending

More clashes between police and protestors in Tbilisi as government pushes through "foreign agents law"

2 May 2024
On May 1, the Georgian government passed through Parliament the controversial “Foreign Agents Law” in its second reading with 83 votes in favor and 23 against, despite strong opposition from international partners, large segments of Georgian society and opposition MPs and politicians. Outside parliament massive public protests saw clashes between police and protestors President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili addressed the protesters in the evening of May 1, when the situation on Chitadze Street, by the gate of the parliament, became tense as several youths tried to break through the closed gates into the yard of the parliament. She said she stands by the protesters’ side. She called the rallies “extraordinary” saying that the whole world is watching Georgians demonstrate the attitude, determination, and perseverance. She said these qualities are important in order to win in the long term struggle, the final stage of which will be the Parliamentary elections, which “will show that Georgia will never be Russia.” Salome Zurabishvili addressed the youth “with flame in their hearts” as she called them, saying that “some things are not necessary” and appealed “to leave along the gates of the Parliament” saying that “nothing happens there”. Noting that “our struggle” is no longer about the Foreign Agents Law”, she said that the longer-term struggle is about the elections” and about “all the laws that this government has passed that distance us from the EU”. That is the goal, she stressed. Noting that it’s Holy Week, she appealed for peaceful protests and to avoid provoking violence, saying: “We will show the world what Georgia and its youth can do.”

Popular

Editor's choice
News
More clashes between police and protestors in Tbilisi as government pushes through "foreign agents law"
Trending

More clashes between police and protestors in Tbilisi as government pushes through "foreign agents law"

2 May 2024
On May 1, the Georgian government passed through Parliament the controversial “Foreign Agents Law” in its second reading with 83 votes in favor and 23 against, despite strong opposition from international partners, large segments of Georgian society and opposition MPs and politicians. Outside parliament massive public protests saw clashes between police and protestors President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili addressed the protesters in the evening of May 1, when the situation on Chitadze Street, by the gate of the parliament, became tense as several youths tried to break through the closed gates into the yard of the parliament. She said she stands by the protesters’ side. She called the rallies “extraordinary” saying that the whole world is watching Georgians demonstrate the attitude, determination, and perseverance. She said these qualities are important in order to win in the long term struggle, the final stage of which will be the Parliamentary elections, which “will show that Georgia will never be Russia.” Salome Zurabishvili addressed the youth “with flame in their hearts” as she called them, saying that “some things are not necessary” and appealed “to leave along the gates of the Parliament” saying that “nothing happens there”. Noting that “our struggle” is no longer about the Foreign Agents Law”, she said that the longer-term struggle is about the elections” and about “all the laws that this government has passed that distance us from the EU”. That is the goal, she stressed. Noting that it’s Holy Week, she appealed for peaceful protests and to avoid provoking violence, saying: “We will show the world what Georgia and its youth can do.”