Herbert Quelle: Ilgar Mamedov Arrest Politically Motivated

Herbert Quelle, German Ambassador to Azerbaijan will complete his three-year diplomatic mission in mid-July, he stated in a press conference. He explained that under the rules of the diplomatic service in Germany, Ambassadors are appointed for a three-year term. All the Ambassadors of Germany in Azerbaijan have been appointed for such a term, except Quelle’s predecessor, Per Stanchina, who served in Azerbaijan for four years. This exception was because he concluded his diplomatic career before retiring.

The next phase of Quelle’s career will take him to the U.S., where for a year as a diplomat he will take part in a research program at Harvard University, at the end of which he will be appointed an ambassador to another country.

The Ambassador did not directly address reports of his early withdrawal and "diplomatic failure"; he denied the allegations.

Summing up his three-year mission to Azerbaijan, Quelle called it successful and talked about some of his accomplishments. "I have always welcomed the climate of religious tolerance in Azerbaijan. I can talk about it, and from personal experience, too. It is gratifying that after our community appealed, Evangelical Church in Azerbaijan was registered. Moreover, they provided an opportunity to carry out Sunday sermons in the German Lutheran church on the street May 28 (next to the cultural center Kapellhaus),” said Quelle.

The German Embassy funded the creation of the heating system in Kapellhaus, where joint cultural events and performances by students of the Music Academy in Azerbaijan are held. The Germans fund all the costs of the center.

The Ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the Azerbaijani financing of the maintenance of the German cultural heritage in the former German settlement of Helenendorf (now Goygol). 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of this settlement of Germans, and Germany offers to celebrate the anniversary with large bilateral level events.

With regard to trade and economic relations, the Ambassador noted the establishment of bilateral high-level working groups, as well as the establishment of the German-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, which was the second such structure in the CIS after Moscow, in November 2012.

In addition, German institutions hold ongoing programs of technical and financial assistance to Azerbaijan.

With regard to political relations, Quelle noted the high level of political dialogue, the evidence of which he called the exchange of visits of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries in 2012. The two Ministries of Foreign Affairs hold political consultations between the countries. Deputy Minister Khalafov heads the Azerbaijani team. At these meetings, they discuss the development of relations and "issues, on which the parties have a difference of opinion, for example, issues of human rights."

Responding to Turan’s question about Germany’s concerns about human rights issues, and what recommendations it suggests, Quelle said: "We can not understand why Ilgar Mamedov was arrested in connection with the riots in Ismailly. We see political motives here. There are other political arrests, which was stated several times by the PACE representative. We are concerned about the arrest of Ilgar Mamedov, in general, the state of civil society, freedom of assembly, expression and media."

Among issues concerning Quelle is the problem of defamation in the media. Dialogue on this issue has been continuing since 2012. However, the legislation was amended, and it extended the scope of criminal penalties for defamation on the Internet.

Among the problems with democratic freedoms, the Ambassador noted an increase in penalties for participating in uncoordinated actions, problems relating to disclosure of information about company ownership, and restrictions on the activities of NGOs. "Azerbaijan is a member of PACE, and voluntarily took the obligation to respect European values," reminded Quelle. The Ambassador noted that all the issues are discussed in an open political dialogue.

The Ambassador addressed rumors about his absence from Azerbaijan for a long period. He said that he spent about five weeks in Germany for treatment and underwent surgery of the intestine. In early July, he will undergo another operation, after which he will return to Azerbaijan for the completion of his affairs and to hold farewell meetings. -06c-