Stefan Fule: EU is aware of the situation in Azerbaijan and monitors its

Stefan Fule, the  European Commissioner for Enlargement and Eastern Partnership,  made a speech today  in the Diplomatic Academy, and gave a press conference.

The essence of his speech  was that Azerbaijan is important for Europe, and this cooperation is of strategic nature. Brussels wants to enhance those relationships and the  work in this area is active, but it would be good to speed  up and intensify it. As a  positive side Fule called the negotiations on visa facilitation.

He called on Baku  to carry out  actively political and economic reforms, and ensure the implementation of its commitments in the framework of the Eastern Partnership.

He spoke  for Azerbaijan’s  fulfillment the obligations  in the frameworks of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and  for  ensuring free and fair presidential elections. "The upcoming elections will be a good opportunity to prove and show commitment to the norms and principles of democracy, to their commitments to international partners," said Fule.

Referring to the situation in the sphere of democracy, European Commissioner noted the concerns   of Brussels with the  facts of violations of the rights and freedoms of citizens. Being asked if he  is aware about the arrest of youth activists and persecution of opposition members, Fule said that  he  is  well-informed about everything going on.  he said it is bad when the number of such  facts  is becoming more and more.

At the  press conference for journalists Fule  did not  answer the question from Turan  of how stable  is the situation in Azerbaijan in the light of mass protests in Guba, Ismayilli and Baku? And how on the background of mass arrests, restrictions on freedom of assembly they can  expect fair elections?

The answer of the Commissioner was that the EU  the situation, gives his assessment of the events, and looks forward to an adequate assessment of the Azerbaijani  authorities. "We have  passed our suggestions and recommendations  to the Azerbaijani government to improve the situation  and make reforms. This applies to both the composition of election commissions, the creation of equal conditions for candidates, and freedom of assembly. We expect that the recommendations will be adopted and a democratic election situation will be established. The EU will  conduct its monitoring, along with the others," he said.

Answering the second question on the fate of activists of NIDA Movement, the commissioner said that Brussels is concerned   about the suppression of the rights and freedoms of citizens, the restriction of freedom of expression, especially amendments to legislation limiting freedom of speech and expression on the Internet. -02В-