PACE could assist to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solution
By Sara Rajabova
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President has said the organization can contribute to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiations.
Anne Brasseur made the remark on September 24 at a press conference on the results of her visit to Baku.
Noting that she conducted political debates in Baku, Brasseur said she met with the government officials, parliament members as well as with representatives of civil society and discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which emerged over Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. Peace talks, mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. through the OSCE Minsk Group, have been largely fruitless so far. The UN Security Council's four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal have not been enforced to this day.
Brasseur emphasized that the territorial integrity is not a topic for discussion in the PACE and all member states should follow the principle of territorial integrity.
She added that the resolution of any conflict needs dialogue and the OSCE Minsk Group is involved to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Brasseur said both countries' delegations are present in the PACE, and it may contribute to the settlement of the conflict through negotiations.
She recalled that Azerbaijan chairs the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe since May in accordance with the general rules.
She said Azerbaijan joined the Council of Europe and signed on the dotted line.
"All 47 members of the Council of Europe have deficiencies. There are a number of mechanisms for the implementation of the commitments made by member countries of the CoE. An action plan regarding Azerbaijan is also developed. We will carry out joint projects with the Justice Ministry," PACE president said.
Brasseur visited Baku on September 22-23 and met with Azerbaijani President, the Minister of Justice, Attorney General, the Speaker and members of the parliament, as well as the civil society representatives. The PACE president praised the fight against corruption in Azerbaijan.