Azerbaijani MPs reject Leo Platvoet's proposals

Then Mr. Platvoet met with families of prisoners of war and missing persons at the State Committee for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons.

The European visitors also had talks with members of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation to PACE - Gultakin Hajiyeva, Ali Husyenov and Elmira Akhundova, APA reports.

Ms. Hajiyeva told that Platvoet offered some proposals at the meeting but Azerbaijani parliamentarians did not accept them.

The European rapporteur proposed the Azerbaijani side to maintain contacts with institutions and NGOs functioning in Nagorno Karabakh to make more specific investigations on the prisoners of war and missing persons.

"We told them that Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijan's territory, and cooperation with any organizations acting there is contrary to Azerbaijan's state policy. On the other hand, we said the government established in Nagorno Karabakh is not recognized by the world and is not independent. Therefore, we said it would be more efficient to cooperate with the Armenian government which is ruling the so-called government in Nagorno Karabakh," the parliamentarian said.

Platvoet's proposal on sending families of the missing persons to Nagorno Karabakh to search for their missing relatives was also rejected by the Azerbaijani parliamentarians.

"It would not be right to charge the families with this issue. We also said to Platvoet that one day Armenia will stand international court for its aggression against Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is important that the international organizations make unbiased assessment of the issue," she said.

Azerbaijani parliamentarians informed Platvoet about that fact that there are nearly 5,000 prisoners of war and missing persons.

PACE rapporteur for missing persons in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia Leo Platvoet and PACE member Mack Nevill has been visiting the region since June 4. They were in Armenia and George before visiting Azerbaijan. The European parliamentarians will have officials talks tomorrow.

Platvoet will draw up a report on the visit and present to PACE.