CoE Secretary General: Azerbaijan's joining Council of Europe was important for us

Ten years have passed since Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe. How do you value cooperation in the past years and what duties are still ahead?

First of all I would like to congratulate Azerbaijan. I consider it is remarkable event for Azerbaijan, which is full member of the Council of Europe and European family as well. Azerbaijan joining the Council of Europe was important for us too. I should note achievements reached in these years. Azerbaijan joined 55 conventions of the organization. Azerbaijan is an active member of the Strasbourg-based organization and it is actively participating in many processes. There is a lot of work to be done. Election and judicial reforms, anti-corruption activities are among these issues. I welcome Azerbaijan joining the Group of States against corruption (GRECO). At the same time, freedom of press and expression should be on agenda as well.

Azerbaijan held parliamentary elections last November. How do you value these elections closely observed by the Council of Europe?

The statements issued by the international organizations that observed the parliamentary elections are sufficient. I can only repeat the words of OSCE and PACE observers.

Azerbaijan’s honouring commitments to the Council of Europe is often discussed...

The major issue is, of course, the freedom of expression and press. Journalist Eynulla Fatullayev is still in prison, this shows that the state of freedom of press is not so good in the country. But the release of this journalist is not sufficient. More must be done to ensure real and complete freedom of press. Why do I underline the importance of freedom of press? Because this is one of the first conditions to eliminate corruption. There are relevant examples in the practice of a number of countries. Corruption is flourishing in a country, because there is no other power there to control the existing regime. Press is one of the powers that plays the role of this balance. Moreover, justice and judicial systems work better within free press atmosphere. If press controls these, they will be forced to work more seriously and in a more responsible manner.

Azerbaijan and Armenia were admitted to the Council of Europe on the same day and upon admission, these two conflicting countries undertook commitment to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully. How do you assess the process of peace negotiations after 10 years?

As you know, this process is being conducted within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and it is outside of CoE’s competence. But if CoE can give any contribution to Minsk process, it will do it with great pleasure. I would like to note one more common feature that can be concerned to all “frozen” conflicts here. If we have a look through history, we will see that establishment of lasting peace is impossible without maintenance of legal state and rule of law. Maintenance of rule of law is also important to increase all efforts towards achievement and restoration of peace. And it is important not only for Nagorno Karabakh conflict, but also for all “frozen” conflicts.

What is the state of the reforms carried out in the Council of Europe and what should be done to increase the influence of the organization?

I hope that these reforms will give an opportunity to improve the political significance of the organization. It will be possible if we mobilize our attention and opportunities in order to fulfill the norms established up to now. Now we are really in the stage of fulfillment of these norms. The first stage of the organization was the establishment of these norms. The fall of the Berlin wall was followed by the stage of extension of the organization. And now we are on the stage of fulfilling the adopted norms. I think that the Council of Europe can indeed play a great role in the life of Europe. And it is possible through the fulfillment of the adopted principles and norms. If you pay attention to the present-day Europe, you will see the importance of the fulfillment of these norms and principles. Because serious and dangerous tendencies taking place in Europe now, cast doubt upon our fundamental values that we believe to be right. That’s why we are on guard of these values.

Turkey is chairing the Cabinet of Ministers of the council of Europe. Taking into account that the PACE, the second major institution of the organization, is also chaired by a Turk, there is a Turkish couple in the organization. Are you satisfied with the activity of the Cabinet of Ministers? How does Turkey cope with its task?

The Turkish couple was not agreed beforehand. This is a coincidence. Actually, I regard the chairmanship of Europe’s great and prestigious institutions by two Turks as a historical event. I think that this is important within the framework of Europe’s policy. It is important for Turkey, in terms of Turkey’s admission as a European country and for Europe itself.


/APA/