The European Union’s (EU) �trio’, currently visiting Baku, met with the heads of political parties and elections blocs on Friday. Attending the gathering were co-chairs of the Azadlyg bloc, the biggest opposition alliance, Ali Karimli, Isa Gambar, Sardar Jalaloglu, members of the Coordinating Council of Yeni Siayset (New Policy) elections bloc, Eldar Namazov and Etibar Mammadov, the leader of the National Movement of Azerbaijan, Lala Shovkat Hajiyeva. The delegation of the EU, the so-called �trio’, comprised special representative of the EU on South Caucasus, Heikki Talvitie, the UK’s special reprehensive on South Caucasus, Brian Fall, a representative of the European division of the European Commission on South Caucasus and Central Asia, Kurt Yool, an official of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Heidemaria Gurere.
Karimli said that the meeting focused on pre-elections public-political situation in the country, the initial elections process, and the participation of the opposition in the elections. The opposition leaders informed the European diplomats on the pre-elections situation in the country, as well as the violations made during the elections period, the obstacles that the candidates face, mass actions held by opposition blocs in the regions. Talvitie said that he would announce his opinion on the pre-elections situation in Azerbaijan and the preparations for the elections in the news conference.
Namazov noted efficient organization of the meeting and mutual exchange of opinions among the sides. The opposition members also answered questions of EU officials’ interest.