Baku during its presidency in the Council of Europe will reject criticism of the human rights

On January 27 the Azerbaijani delegation to the PACE  27 at the winter session of the Assembly raised the issue of violation by the Armenian side in the last days the ceasefire on all fronts, said the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, Samad Seyidov .

He and other members of the delegation , according Seyidov, told about provocative actions of the Armenian side to disrupt the negotiating process. "They (Armenians ) understand that the negotiation process in the legal domain is not in their favor, for the whole world considers Nagorno-Karabakh territory of Azerbaijan," Seyidov said.

In his view, to derail the peace process , the Armenian side violates ceasefire , resorting to provocations.

Therefore, the Azerbaijani MPs have raised this issue at the session.

Seyidov also called for the continuation of meetings of delegations of Azerbaijan and Armenia in PACE. "We aim to continue these meetings because Azerbaijan is committed to peace . We strive for peace, but Armenia does not. Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories and is now spreading across the world the wrong information," Seyidov said.

Asked to comment on criticism in connection with the adoption of amendments to the legislation that restrict fundamental freedoms, worsening conditions for NGO activities and problems with political prisoners, Seyidov said that he  more than once witnessed such criticism at various events in the Council of Europe and other structures.  "I am absolutely sincere repeatedly told the press that Azerbaijan is ready to deal with the issues of human rights, doing this , and will continue to do. This question is included in the agenda of the state.

However, the politicization of human rights serves some interests. You see what processes are taking lace today in Ukraine. You see , today , even in developed from the standpoint of human rights  in the countries occur ill horrible things. They want to bring it to Azerbaijan. And today we have witnessed this. Several people got up and tried to put the issue on the agenda of Azerbaijan in the discussions do  not having any relation to Azerbaijan," said Seyidov .

He complained that using human rights for political purposes, attempts  are taken to exert pressure on Azerbaijan. "We have always been and will be against it," said Seyidov.

According to Seyidov, Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with international organizations. At the same time, according to Seyidov , international organizations differ in their objectives and agenda.

In his view, it is wrong unconditionally agree with the criticism of international organizations , as this may cause damage to the public interest. Being asked to comment on the announcement by the Institute for Peace and Democracy list of 134 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, Seyidov said that "it brings a smile."

According to him, the IPD included in the lists of persons , without examining their cases.

This approach is also in international organizations complained Seidov.

" Each question should be studied seriously . Perhaps in that case human rights have been violated. Nobody denies that. However, it is  unacceptable to use human rights as a political motive for the pressure on the state," said Seyidov.

Repeating the words of President Ilham Aliyev , Seyidov said that Azerbaijan is not inclined to sign the agreement with the EU on the Association.

"We want a higher level of integration with Europe . We want a higher level of cooperation - strategic cooperation, energy cooperation, cooperation in the field of human rights, bilateral cooperation on a reciprocal basis.

This is  building relationships and agreements, not on paper , but on the basis of real values,​​" Seyidov said.

Is the cooperation  with the EU on a higher level possible , if Azerbaijan does not respect human rights? Answering this question Seyidov said that Azerbaijan will soon begin Presidency  in the CE. 

"At the end of May in Azerbaijan will be a meeting of the PACE  Standing Committee. In June begins Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Council of Europe. This means that Action Plan , including a more active , deep and wide efforts to ensure human rights will be implemented jointly with the Council of Europe during the presidency of Azerbaijan. Even during  the  presidency of Azerbaijan we will oppose conversion human rights into a political tool," said Seyidov.—06D--