Azerbaijan, Baku, 15 January / Тrend corr A. Ismayilova / When speaking at a press conference in Baku on 14 January, influential American Senator, Republican Richard Lugar, voiced his regret on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, including the arrest of journalists and the demonstrations.
He noted the importance of political evolution in Azerbaijan. "It was for this purpose that we came here and met with the representatives of the civil society," he said. Speaking of the parliamentary elections of 2005, Lugar said that the international community noted some progress and shortcomings as well. "To my mind, the Government is taking into consideration the world's opinion," he said.