Azerbaijan, Baku, December 2/ Trend / The Council of Europe is concerned over the possible shut-down of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Tarry Davis plans to meet with the representatives of Azerbaijan's authorities to discuss this issue and find possible ways out the situation.
In early November, chairman of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Azerbaijan (NTRBC) Nushiravan Maharramli announced that the broadcast of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan including US Voice of America, Radio Liberty and BBC will be suspended by the end of 2008.
"By the end of the year all foreign radio stations will be deprived frequencies on which they broadcast in Azerbaijan," Maharramli said. He said foreign radio stations can broadcast through satellite, internet and cable network.
"I hope Azerbaijan understands very well the importance of the freedom of expression," CE Secretary General said to journalists in Baku.
Many international organizations including OSCE, the Council of Europe have criticized shut-down of foreign radio stations in Azerbaijan and asked authorities to avoid it.
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