Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 24 / Trend News E.Ostapenko /

Europe should not have a "black hole" in human rights. Access to the Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is necessary, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjon Jagland said.

"Issues of human rights and humanitarian matters should not be politicized," he said in an interview with the Russian Ekho Moskvy radio station toward the end of his Moscow visit. "We want to have access to all people in every region of Europe."

Jagland's first visit to Moscow lasted from Dec. 22-Dec. 23. Jagland, who took office Oct. 1, was the first secretary general in the history of Davis who made a detour of the organization's 47 members with a visit to Russia.

He noted that the role of the Council of Europe is to ensure the protection of human rights, and to help reduce humanitarian problems and humans suffering.

After Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence in August 2008, international observers received limited access to these areas, which frustrated international organizations.

Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia last year and established diplomatic relations with the two regions.

According to the official, the organization has problems accessing the separatist regions from both the Russian and Georgian side.

"We want to get Russia's help in this matter. But at the same time we need to speak with the Georgian authorities, explaining to all parties that the fundamental needs of the people are above politics," he said.

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