Council of Europe should 'impose sanctions' on Armenia

Wed 19 January 2011 13:33 GMT | 15:33 Local Time

News.Az interviews Rafael Huseynov, an MP from the Civic Solidarity Party a delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

How do you assess relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of Azerbaijan's membership? How has this organization contributed to Azerbaijan's overall development?

Our delegation left for Strasbourg to attend the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) for the first time on the night of 21 January 2001. The flag of Azerbaijan was raised outside the PACE headquarters on 25 January and since April that year we have been working with this organization as full members. A number of events preceded this: on 20 January 2001 the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, received the Azerbaijani delegation about to leave for PACE for the first time. He set the delegation three important objectives: the first was to present the truth about Azerbaijan to European parliamentarians and the international community; the second to seek the wider application in Azerbaijan of the successes and models of the Council of Europe, which is considered the democratic school of Europe and where European values are concentrated; and the third was gradually to raise the Karabakh problem in the Council of Europe and completely break the information blockade around Azerbaijan. We have moved forward in all these areas in our 10 years of work. During this time Azerbaijan has achieved a great deal in the adoption of democratic values, the construction of a law-governed state, ensuring human rights and freedom of speech and the mass media. Comparing today's Azerbaijan with the Azerbaijan of 10 years ago, we can see a country with a more developed democracy, a country that has made great progress in the construction of a law-governed state and a country that has created democratic institutions.

What contribution has Azerbaijan made to the Council of Europe?

In the 10 years of its Council of Europe membership, Azerbaijan has not only learned from the Council of Europe but also shared some of its values with Europe. Before admitting Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, the Council of Europe could not be considered a complete organism since Europe's periphery, the South Caucasus, was not a member. When the South Caucasus joined the Council of Europe, the organization became complete. Members of the Azerbaijani delegation drafted over 100 documents, reflecting the national and state interests of Azerbaijan over these years. It should also be noted that one of the main Council of Europe indicators is the appointment of members of national delegations as Council rapporteurs. More than 10 members of the Azerbaijani delegation have been appointed Council of Europe rapporteurs. Most of these reports were on Azerbaijan's main problem, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while others were of a general European nature The reports drafted by members of the Azerbaijani delegation and the resolutions adopted on their basis are part of our contribution to enrich the Council of Europe and its development. In this regard, I can say that Azerbaijan has come a long way during its membership of the Council of Europe. It should also be noted, however, that most Council of Europe deputies from 47 countries and the leaders of the organization say that today PACE is not the same it was 10 years ago. It is undeniable that our delegation has contributed to the development and enrichment of the Council of Europe. Overall, cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe has been reciprocal. I believe Azerbaijan's future activity in this organization will grow further. As before, Azerbaijan will benefit from Council of Europe membership and will also enrich this organization.

What should Azerbaijan expect from Council of Europe membership over the coming decade?

First, Azerbaijan expects the Council of Europe to take definite action on resolution of the Karabakh conflict. On 25 January 2005, resolution No 1416 on the occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenians was passed. This document is of great historic importance. This resolution, signed by over 40 European countries, has become a document on Armenia's aggression. This resolution features three important provisions: Armenia acted aggressively against Azerbaijan; there is a separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh; and Armenia committed ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis. The document described Armenia as a direct aggressor, while in four resolutions on Karabakh, adopted in the early 1990s, only such word combinations as "Armenian armed formations" were used. The relevant subcommittee, headed by a British delegate, Lord Russell Johnston, was created following the resolution. Therefore, one of our demands of the Council of Europe is to show a more principled position on this issue, to continue its objective position, strengthen the work of the PACE subcommittee and impose sanctions on Armenia, which is clearly violating all the principles of international law. I think their execution in the next five years is an axiom, since Europe has studied Armenia well in the past 10 years. Ten years ago Europe had a wrong, distorted view of Armenia, while now the successful foreign policy of Azerbaijan has made it clear to everyone that Armenia is an occupying country. Europe has learned that Armenia is to be blamed not only for the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, but also for the promotion of terrorism in the world and its special role in drug trafficking. We expect the Council of Europe to condemn Armenia and apply the sanctions it deserves. I believe everyone will witness this in the near future. 

Is there a need for reform within the Council of Europe?

The Council of Europe was created in May 1949, 62 years ago. As an international organization that has reached its 62nd anniversary, it certainly needs renewal and innovation. The Council of Europe has made a large contribution to democratization and development, but there is a great need for the organization to be upgraded. And it is not surprising that the Council of Europe has discussed reports on the need for reform. Azerbaijan will, of course, also contribute to reform of the Council of Europe and the organization will continue its work at a modern tempo.

Lala B.
News.Az