PACE president: Election 'real opportunity' to prove adherence to democracy

President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Rene van Der Linden has cited the importance of Azerbaijan's observing its commitments to ensure democratic situation on the eve of the November parliament poll. "The upcoming elections are a real opportunity for Azerbaijan to show its adherence to democratic principles",

he told a news conference on the results of his visit to Baku on Tuesday. Linden, who has met with Azeri officials, representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations, said the election was in focus at his meetings. He said that to ensure the transparency of elections, all NGOs should be allowed to observe their conduct.

Azerbaijan's laws ban NGOs with over 30% foreign capital from monitoring the vote.
"I sensed that the government agrees with allowing all NGOs ensuring transparency of their funding to monitor the poll. The Council of Europe is ready to provide its assistance in this area", Linden said.
Linden said that one of the key objectives is to punish those who gave way to violations of law during the 2003 presidential elections in Azerbaijan. "The issue should be solved prior to the elections to raise public trust on the poll."
He emphasized that the independence of media should be ensured and favorable conditions provided for opposition's access to television.
The PACE president said the Azerbaijani government may not accept the CE proposals on democratization of the pre-election climate. "In every country, the way elections are held and their rules are determined not by the CE, but the government, political parties and NGOs. The Council of Europe, on its end, assesses the extent of their compliance with its principles... In any case, we will voice our harsh position if the elections fall short of international standards."
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh, the PACE president said that it should be resolved peacefully.
"Peace is the only option. If Azerbaijan wants to enter the European family, it must resolve the conflict peacefully."
Linden said that he discussed issues relating to the conflict settlement both in Azerbaijan and Armenia during his visit to the region. He said that during talks with Armenian officials, he stated that 'living in isolation' from Azerbaijan and Turkey, the two powerful regional countries, is unacceptable.
Linden said that if either Azerbaijan or Armenia consider resorting to ways other than peace talks to settle the conflict, the international community will come out strongly against the decision, as both countries assumed commitment to a peaceful resolution upon their admission to the Council of Europe.
The PACE president said that the international community should intensify pressures on both sides to resolve the conflict. He voiced a hope that the ongoing negotiations will complete successfully.
Upon arrival in Baku, Linden told journalists that favorable conditions have been created to settle the Garabagh conflict. "We should take advantage of this and find a way to resolve the conflict."