French Senator: PACE co-rapporteur's report on Azerbaijan - biased and incomplete

France, Strasbourg, Jan.23 / Trend A. Maharramli /

PACE co-rapporteur Christopher Strasser's report on Azerbaijan is biased and incomplete, former French minister Jean-Marie Bockel said at the hearing of the report "On the fulfillment of Azerbaijan's obligations," prepared by the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee Pedro Agramunt and Joseph Debono Grech and the second report, prepared by the rapporteur on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Christopher Strasser in connection with the so-called political prisoners in the country.

"Of course, today I am not against that the government of Azerbaijan should take determined steps towards development in accordance with the criteria adopted by our organization. Along with this, I am against to the emergence of a very negative opinion on Azerbaijan. I would like to draw attention to some issues," Bockel said. First of all, the country's economic potential contributes to the development of democracy, he said.

"This fact is a catalyst for political changes. Even if this fact is not self-acting, it plays a role. For example, at the expense of oil revenues roads and schools are overhauled. This fact has been an indicator of development for the past 10 years. This also allows Azerbaijani people to receive more yield of prosperity, which contributes to the establishment of democracy, " Bockel underlined.

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