France, Strasbourg, April 13 /Trend, A. Magerramli/
That Armenia did not recognize the decision of the PACE Office and refused to partake in the work of the PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh illustrates the essence of its policy, Samed Seyidov, Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation to the PACE, told reporters on the third working day of the PACE spring plenary session.
Every session should be regarded as important one for Azerbaijan, the MP said.
"For us, one of the most important, principal issues is the one related to the activity of the Subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh. And I can say quite sincerely that the Armenian side has once again demonstrated its position to the Subcommittee's work. We expressed our positive attitude to participating in the Subcommittee's work and we are prepared to take part in any committee's initiatives. Regretfully, the Armenian side does not recognize the decisions of the PACE Office and, in all, refuses to partake in the committee's work
Non-recognition of the decision of the PACE Office, and the full denial of the decisions the Council of Europe took disclose the essence of Armenia's policy. The non-fulfillment of this decision and of the 2005 decision on Nagorno Karabakh so far, and that Armenia - a PACE member state - ignores these processes decreases the powers, strength and influence capabilities, along with Armenia's, of the Council of Europe. We have stated repeatedly that we will never limit the activity of the Subcommittee on Nagorno Karabakh within the frames of the Committee on Nagorno Karabakh. We are not eager to restrain the Nagorno Karabakh problem by the activity of one committee only. We made this step to demonstrate our constructive position, that we act to fulfill the Council of Europe's resolutions, and, through inviting the Armenian delegation to join the committee, how "constructive" its position is. It is now evident to us that we are right. Regretfully, Armenia chooses non-constructive position and rules of behavior in the Council of Europe, other international organizations and bilateral talks.
Therefore, the world community and organizations should know that if they back such actions of Armenia they only weaken the strength of their influence. We perfectly know this, and the Azerbaijani delegation will continue to work in this direction", Seyidov said.
In its relations with the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan acts primarily to defend its own interests, according to Seyidov.
"We joined the Council of Europe not for the sake of membership. We joined the Council of Europe for the sake of democracy, human rights and supremacy of the law. We will express our attitude openly if we see than any of these issues is used as a means of influence upon Azerbaijan's interests. From this point, we should assess positively the work of the session and consider the raised matters important. Particularly, we back Georgia in the issue that was examined in connection with this country today. Attempts will be made to get the word "occupation" withdrawn from the report on Georgia. The delegation of Azerbaijan is against this.
Azerbaijan openly demonstrates its position in relations with Georgia, Armenia and other countries. Our position in the Council of Europe assumes conduct of open policy and defense of Azerbaijan's interest", the parliamentarian said.