Azernews.Az

The OSCE intends to closely cooperate with the country's government and civil society institutions to ensure that the vote meets the highest standards, its secretary general Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said during a visit to Baku last week.
"We know that it's possible," Brichambaut told a news briefing on Friday, emphasizing the role of mass media in promoting transparent conduct of the poll.
Asked to comment on the fruitless outcome of the OSCE's efforts to ensure freedom of assembly in Azerbaijan, Brichambaut said the organization would continue working in this area in conjunction with other international groups.
"A year still remains till the elections, and the OSCE will work to achieve the passage and enforcement of the needed laws during this time."
Brichambaut went on to say that the OSCE, which is brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict through its mediating Minsk Group (MG) co-chaired by Russia, France and the United States, was working hard to settle the dispute in peace.
Touching on the role of the 56 OSCE member countries in conflict resolution, he pointed out that the European family has not always been united in its endeavors.
The secretary general expressed hope that during the next discussions on conflicts in the South Caucasus he would witness considerable progress and talks on re-settling refugees displaced by the Garabagh dispute would take place.
Brichambaut has paid a two-day visit to Azerbaijan to hold a meeting of the OSCE ambassadors to South Caucasus states.