Azerbaijan, Baku, April 18 / Trend E. Mehdiyev /
Official Baku has said that the repeated nomination of one person for the presidency in Azerbaijan is a constitutional norm, and it can not be discussed at the foreign arena, Head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration's Social and Political Department Ali Hasanov told Trend today.
"The procedure of presidential elections in each country is governed by its laws and the provisions of the Constitution," Hasanov said, commenting on the interview of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Thomas Melia, who previously spoke to Azerbaijani media outlets.
According to the media, Melia called the nomination of President Aliyev as a certain "red line" and even, looking ahead, he said that he will discuss the issue during the next visit to Baku.
Later at the press conference, Melia said that his words were incorrectly spread by the media outlets.
The referendum was held in Azerbaijan in connection with amendments and additions to the Constitution in 2009. The majority of the Azerbaijani citizens supported the changes. According to them, one person can be repeatedly nominated for the presidency.
Ali Hasanov said that no significant protests in this regard were observed either domestically or abroad.
"On the other hand, I would like to stress that there are many similar cases in this matter, for example, Angela Merkel in Germany, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, and there are many other facts as well. Therefore, this issue is not a subject of discussion with any organization and country unilaterally or multilaterally, but is merely an internal affair of Azerbaijan and it is regulated by the Constitution of the country," he underscored.
Hasanov also said the U.S is Azerbaijan's strategic partner.
"The relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijan have three main areas - energy, security and democracy issues, stressed by Melia himself," he said.
"Azerbaijan and the U.S can only discuss the ways, methods and means of democratic elections. The democratic elections is a requirement of our law and a norm of the Constitution. We can discuss the free and democratic elections with the U.S., and in this case, we can get the support of our strategic partners."
Further, answering a question, Hasanov confirmed that foreign forces are trying to strengthen the pressure on Azerbaijan on the eve of the presidential elections.
"Azerbaijan is one of the most important countries in the region and the world, due to its geopolitical status, rich natural resources, strong economic potential, military-geostrategic position in the Caspian and the South Caucasus region. Every foreign factor, structure, as well as large and small countries having relations with Azerbaijan and the interests in the country, are seeking to realize their interests in the elections. They also strive to use certain mechanisms to implement their programs and plans with future authorities. It is natural, same thing is everywhere," he noted.
Hasanov said that while Azerbaijan is not against it, this participation cannot be implemented in the form of interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, violating the norms and principles of the internal life of Azerbaijan or in the form of pressure.
"This process must be based on partnership and serve to improve the situation in Azerbaijan," he noted.