Upon accomplishment the meeting on 29 July at the residence of the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), the executive secretary of the organization Ali Ahmedov had interview with journalists. Along with Ali Ahmedov, his deputy Mubariz Gurbanli, chairman of the Ana Veten Party Fazail Agamali, head of the Social Welfare Party Hanhusseyn Kazimli, from the oppositional side- chairmen of the Civil Solidarity Party Sabir Rustamhanli and the National Independence Party of Azerbaijan Ali Aliyev, as well as the head of the OSCE Baku office Mauricio Pavesi, took part in the meeting, Trend reports.
The roundtable topic was the discussion of the parties’ financial transparency. The meeting’s participants stressed the importance of the Azerbaijan’s political parties’ financial sources transparency and voiced their standpoints in this regard.
Changes and supplements to the Law “On political parties” have been proposed for ensuring transparency. The meeting’s participants supported the idea of reflecting the more exact and clear legal mechanism related to the party’s foreign funding in the draft law.
The accord to proceed with the dialogue at the residence of the Civil Solidarity Party in the first half of August has been reached at the event.
вЂ" What ideas have been voiced at the meeting in regard to “black PR “campaigning against the opponents?
вЂ" The issue has been discussed at the roundtable. The event’s participants assessed negatively the facts of dissemination of unethical and alien to the national mentality materials in the local media, the “black PR” campaigning. We do not approve unambiguously of the materials, contradicting the political ethics and call on both the political parties and the media representatives to decline such methods.
вЂ" How the non-participation of the Azadlig block parties have been accepted?
вЂ" We regret, that the Azadlig alliance members have not taken part in the meeting. We would like them to do it. But, unfortunately, the Musavat Party notified of their non-participation in today’s return letter, as well as protesting against the topic under discussion. We do not understand such an approach. If they have any protests or counter-arguments, they may voice them at the roundtable.
In case Musavat and other parties wish to put forward any subject for discussions, we are ready for that and, naturally, will take part in discussions. Our opponents must also respect our right to submit any idea for discussion. In this respect we only feel sorry for the decision of the Azadlig alliance. But our idea is the Azadlig block parties may take part in subsequent meetings.
- Will continuation of such meetings bring tangible results?
- We suppose, irrespective of the decisions taken, the fact of joint discussions is the result by itself. It is essential from the standpoint of the inter-party mutual understanding achievement, decreasing of the political tense in the society and streaming political processes in the successful course. I think, the absence of three oppositional parties does not affect strongly the result.
I do not guess, the opposition of Azerbaijan consists of only the Azadlig block. There are also other oppositional parties. The participation of the oppositional parties at the today’s joint meeting means continuation of the authority вЂ"opposition dialogue.
вЂ" In case the Musavat party will take a decision to stage the next meeting and invite the parties, will this meeting take place?
вЂ" The next meeting has been already set. It will be held in the first half of August at the Civil Solidarity Party premises. The topic of the meeting is also defined. We will not object to the meeting staged by the Musavat Party as well. It is not a principal issue for us, who stages and where the parties’ meetings”.
The most significant thing for us is the dialogue process, as such. The main thing is the meeting to take place and the issues to be discussed. It would not be bad, if we arrive at any decision. If it is the case, I do not see anything tragic in it. To hear und to understand each other is also a result.
вЂ" Is it possible to change the dialogue’s format at the next meetings?
вЂ" Yes, It is possible. The issue may become the subject for discussions. There was exchange of opinions concerning the format. The format may be altered and supplemented by new details. We will stop on the most acceptable one and take it. The political parties were not able to hear each other during a long period.
Three meetings have been held todate, the toughest issues have been discussed, the opinions have been heard patiently and the arguments accepted. Of course, more can be reached. In future we may arrive to more tangible success, resting on the results achieved.