Elnur Mammadov: PACE's biased approach toward Azerbaijan undermines authority of Council of Europe

The biased approach of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe toward Azerbaijan undermines the authority of the Council of Europe, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elnur Mammadov said during the 135th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Chișinău, as quoted by Report.

"PACE's bias toward Azerbaijan seriously damages the image of the Council of Europe as an international institution. However, the responsibility for resolving this situation lies with the organization itself," Mammadov said.

Mammadov also addressed the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He recalled that in August of last year, the two countries signed a joint statement in Washington and initialed the Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations.

"For the past nine months, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been living in conditions of peace, and the practical results of the new regional reality are already beginning to emerge. Azerbaijan has unilaterally lifted transit and trade restrictions, enabled cargo transportation to Armenia through its territory, and created conditions for the export of goods," the deputy minister noted.

He also stressed that reciprocal visits and meetings between representatives of civil society from the two countries are already taking place in order to strengthen trust and discuss common interests.

The Azerbaijani diplomat thanked Moldova for its work as chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and wished success to Monaco, which is assuming the chairmanship.

In addition, during the session, Elnur Mammadov took part in a roundtable discussion on "Migration in Europe."