Today.Az » Politics » British Minister for European affairs responds to the letter of “Azadlig” bloc leaders
06 January 2006 [12:15] - Today.Az
The letter addressed to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair by the “Azadlig” bloc leaders after the parliamentary elections was replied by British Minister for European affairs Douglas Alexander.
According to the information given to APA by the press service of the PFPA, stating in the letter that the elections and the post-election period in the country were observed carefully, the Minister expressed their regrets over the initial assessments of the European Union, international institutions and human rights organizations.
Underlining that despite of some improvements, the elections didn’t meet the OSCE obligations and the standards of the Council of Europe; the British Minister expressed their devotedness to strengthen democracy and improving fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan: “We shall keep on supporting Azerbaijani authorities in taking action about the officials who abused their powers and committed crimes during the elections. President Aliyev has already launched this measure. We shall go on insisting that the re-elections should meet the obligations Azerbaijan undertook before the international organizations and in the framework of Azeri law, as well as meet 11 May and 25 October, 2005 presidential decrees”.
Stating that they called on all the sides to refrain from causing tension due to the conduct of the security forces during November 6, 2005 rally of the opposition, D.Alexander stressed the importance of people’s excising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly in safe situation: “I hope, the opposition party members will fully participate in the democratic life of Azerbaijan. We consider pluralism in Milli Majlis and media to be vital for the development of Azerbaijan. We also think that, the forthcoming re-elections should be the choice of real candidates and parties for the voters”.
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