Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev has discussed at a meeting with EU Charge d'Affaires Toralf Pilz a recent controversial statements made by European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, who participated in the Internet governance forum in Baku last week, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Kroes's statements made at the forum, as well as on her personal blog, about human rights and freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan are wrong, Mammadguliyev said.

In this regard, the opposite side was informed about the Azerbaijani government's discontent. Baku stressed that such unfounded statements are not in line with the spirit of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU and could harm the relations.

Mammadguliyev said that Azerbaijan is pursuing reforms aimed at democratization and ensuring human rights and has achieved great success in this area.

According to him, the Azerbaijani government focuses on human rights, particularly freedom of speech and press.

"Over 60 percent of Azerbaijan's population use the Internet freely, which is an important way of ensuring freedom of speech," Mammadguliyev said. "The Azerbaijani government pays special attention to the development of telecommunication technologies. In this regard, Azerbaijan is the initiator of such a large regional project as the Trans-Eurasia Information Superhighway."

Pilz was also informed about the allegations over interference in the computers of the aides accompanying Kroes at a hotel in Baku.

Mammadguliyev noted that one usually appeals to relevant local bodies over such cases. "The fact that Kroes did not do this is a surprise."

Regarding Kroes' not being allowed to enter a prison to meet with inmates, Mammadguliyev said that according to the country's legislation, international organizations and representatives of other countries can meet with prisoners only upon consent of Azerbaijani relevant bodies. For example, Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe Nils Muiznieks and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic met with several prisoners last week.