Samad Seyidov: When Azerbaijan brings fair position to world's attention, PACE resorts to sanctions
By Rashid Shirinov
When Azerbaijan brings its fair position to the world community, the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) resorts to sanctions, said Samad Seyidov, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee for International and Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Head of the Azerbaijani Delegation to PACE.
He made the remarks at a session of the Azerbaijani Parliament on May 18 when commenting on PACE’s recent application of sanctions against him. Seyidov believes that the PACE’s decision is unfair.
“When people holding high positions in the PACE break the law, no sanctions are applied against them. This indicates the double standards,” he said.
The head of delegation noted that this decision of PACE can be described as exerting pressure on Azerbaijan.
“But we are on the right track. This is not a disadvantage, but an honor for me, because I protect the interests of Azerbaijan,” Seyidov added.
Following the hearings in Paris on May 15, the PACE Committee on Rules of Procedure adopted a decision on applying sanctions against four PACE members: Pedro Agramunt (Spain) for a period of 10 years, Cezar Florin Preda (Romania), Samad Seyidov (Azerbaijan) and Jordi Xucla (Spain) for a period of two years.
All of them will remain members of PACE and will have the right to speak, but will not be able to act as rapporteurs or election observers or chairmen or vice-chairmen of any committee or subcommittee. Moreover, they will not be able to nominate their candidature for the presidency in the Assembly or to represent PACE or its committees at any third-party events.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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