12/04/2011 Monitoring
In an information note on their visit to Baku from 1 to 3 February 2011, published in Strasbourg today, Pedro Agramunt Font de Mora (Spain, EPP/CD) and Joseph Debono Grech (Malta, SOC), co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee on Azerbaijan, said that they particularly valued the openness of the Azerbaijani authorities to political dialogue with the PACE, as well as their clearly demonstrated political will and their readiness to continue fulfilling their commitments.
They also expressed satisfaction about the frank and open discussions with representatives of independent civil society and the opposition, but regretted that some opposition leaders did not attach to political dialogue the importance that it merited. "We hope that their position will evolve," they stated.
They also took note of the significant progress made by the country along the path of democratisation, and of the impressive legislative work done by the Azerbaijani authorities in order to bring their laws into line with Council of Europe standards. They nevertheless considered that serious causes for concern remained, and needed to be dealt with forthwith, particularly in respect of the implementation of various laws, including those on freedom of association and freedom of expression.
"We stand ready to discuss possible measures to be taken with the Azerbaijani authorities during our next visit," declared the co-rapporteurs.
"We are confident that the report which we are going to submit to the committee (and then to the Assembly) before the end of this year will contribute to advancing the democratisation process in Azerbaijan," they concluded.