Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan has rejected the Council of Europe body’s proposals on authorizing foreigners to establish political parties in Azerbaijan.

The Venice Commission made relevant proposals, which also covered foreigners’ financing of political parties and membership in them, during recent discussions on the Law on Financing of Political Parties in Azerbaijan, presidential aide Ali Hasanov told journalists Friday.

Hasanov said there is a tendency toward political integration in the European Union countries. "Therefore, foreign citizens may be members of political parties in European countries, and foreign organizations can finance political parties. However, it is impossible to apply this experience in Azerbaijan," Hasanov said.

The discussions on the draft law were held at the 88th plenary session of the Venice Commission in Strasbourg on October14-15.

Hasanov stressed that the Venice Commission has made other recommendations and comments, and work on them is underway.

"After the bill [on financing of political parties] is brought into compliance with the standards, it will be submitted to parliament and then will be sent to the Venice Commission again to obtain feedback considering the MPs' comments and proposals," Hasanov said.

The model presented by Azerbaijan to the Venice Commission cites political parties' participation in elections as a basic principle for their state financing.

Hasanov told media earlier that there are several options of distributing funds among the parties participating in elections. These options will be announced after discussions with the Venice Commission, he said.