Azerbaijan, Baku, 2 July / Trend corr I.Alizade/ In case of Azerbaijan does not fulfil all its obligations to the Council of Europe, PACE will take serious measures. "Should Azerbaijan not comply with standards in the field of democracy, human rights and jural state and opposes them, we will take serious measures for the country," PACE President Luis Maria de Puig said at a briefing in Baku on 2 July.
On 7 January, 2001, Azerbaijan became a full-fledged CE member and undertook obligations to improve democracy, human rights, reforms and legislation. PACE appointed co-rapporteurs on Azerbaijan to control fulfilment of the obligations.
PACE President Luis Maria de Puig arrived in Azerbaijan on 30 June to pay a 3-day visit. Puig met with Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov, members of Azerbaijan's delegation to PACE, members of political parties represented in the Parliament and human rights activists.
Puig plans to meet with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Artur Rasizade and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
Puig is confident his visit to Azerbaijan will have results. "The meetings, discussions held during the visit will have positive results, since I came to Azerbaijan with good intentions," said PACE President.
According to Puig, he admits that Azerbaijan has fulfilled a part of its obligations and is thankful to the country for that.
Puig said presidential elections to take place in Azerbaijan are of great importance to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, since much is contingent on them.
Presidential elections will take place in Azerbaijan on 15 October.
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