“Though the European Commission for Democracy of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission is a recommendatory body, it could consider issues linked with Azerbaijan without agreement of Baku,” Tatiana Myschelova, spokesman for the Venice Commission told Trend. She was commenting on possible restoration of discussions at the VC on the Elections Code of Azerbaijan.
She noted that while entering the CE Azerbaijan, as a member of the organization, undertook some obligations, the same time committing itself to take into consideration the VC’s recommendations. “In compliance with the procedures, the issues are included in the agenda of the VC either at the request of the CE member-country, or at the initiative of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) or CE Ministerial Committee,” Myschelova stressed, noting that the last decree by the Azerbaijani President covered only part of the VC recommendations.
“Azerbaijan, as any member of the Council of Europe, should take part in the work of the Venice Commission to discuss the issue directed by the PACE to the VC,” she underlined, noting that the VC cannot dictate its commitments, but only pass the recommendations.
Myschelova recalled Johannie Buquicchio, the Secretary General of VC, who stated that despite two major recommendations concerning the principles of formation of the elections commissions and procedures, consideration of complaints on elections remain open for discussion. Attributing the Elections Code of Azerbaijan ideal, Buquicchio noted that a text of the Code was considerably improved, there are definite milestones which could be improved more.
“The Venice Commission hopes in continuation of the cooperation with Azerbaijan on the issues that cause disagreement,” Myschelova underscored.