The impact of the PACE decision: the Azerbaijani opposition reflects on the consequences
The impact of the PACE decision: the Azerbaijani opposition reflects on the consequences
As the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) takes the unprecedented step of temporarily suspending the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation, experts and politicians within Azerbaijan are weighing in on the potential ramifications of the decision.
Anar Mammadli, Chairman of the Center for Election Monitoring and Democracy Education, expressed his belief that Azerbaijan had effectively severed ties with PACE long before the recent decision. Mammadli cited the country's failure to implement PACE resolutions, release political prisoners, and create favorable conditions for media, civil society, and political parties. He deemed PACE's sanctions overdue and pinpointed Baku's refusal to allow PACE observers to inspect the Lachin road and visit Karabakh as a critical mistake. Mammadli argued that Azerbaijan could have allowed PACE observers to visit political prisoners and should not have resisted sending observers to the upcoming presidential elections.
Arif Hajili, Chairman of the Musavat party, drew attention to Azerbaijan's shifting relationship with the civilized world, warning of potential serious consequences. He cautioned against launching a press campaign condemning PACE, advising that fundamental changes in domestic and foreign policy are essential to prevent negative repercussions.
Ali Kerimli, Chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, expressed his concerns on Facebook, emphasizing that distancing from Europe could strengthen Armenia's alliances. Kerimli listed potential consequences of an anti-European policy, including economic deterioration, Azerbaijan turning into a North Korea-like state, limitations on external lending and assistance, visa restrictions for Azerbaijani citizens traveling to Europe, and continued repression within the country.
These reflections from Azerbaijani experts and politicians underscore the complexity of the situation and the potential multifaceted impact on the nation's diplomatic, economic, and domestic spheres as it navigates the aftermath of PACE's decision.
Politics
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Armenia is not against the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, but does not consider it appropriate to discuss this issue now. "In the context of peace, we consider it possible to make a decision on the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group. When peace is an established fact, the existence of such a format may raise questions," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a press conference today. "The whole question is about the timing, we need to understand how effectively and correctly to turn such topics into a subject of discussion right now," the Armenian Prime Minister added.
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He expressed his willingness to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the border between the two countries. "A meeting with Ilham Aliyev could take place at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. I am open to such a format," Pashinyan said at a press conference today. According to Pashinyan, Armenia recently presented another proposal for a peace treaty to Azerbaijan.
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On August 31, Azerbaijan observes a "day of silence" before the Sunday’s early parliamentary elections for the unicameral Milli Majlis. All electoral campaigning is prohibited 24 hours before the voting. The early elections were initiated by the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party. This decision was motivated by the overlap of the scheduled elections in November with the global UN forum - the COP20 climate conference taking place in Baku.
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On August 30, at approximately 22:55, the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant in Metsamor was disconnected from the country's power grid, as reported by the Armenian Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. The shutdown was caused by a lightning strike, which triggered the plant's safety systems to switch the station to a safe shutdown mode. Currently, the plant's staff is working on restarting the facility.
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