Azerbaijan, joining the Council of Europe, voluntarily assumed obligations in the field of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and they are not only political but also legal in nature and binding. This was announced at a press conference Wednesday by the end of the visit to Azerbaijan of the PACE President Anne Brasseur.

Brasseur also focused attention on the recent arrests of civil society activists in Azerbaijan, contact.az reported..According to her, in the course of the meetings in the parliament the main topic of discussion was the Karabakh conflict.

“The territorial integrity of member countries cannot be a subject of discussion, and this principle should be respected with regard to all member countries of the Council of Europe,” said Brasseur.

However, she noted that the conflict can be resolved through dialogue and CE supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Brasseur said that delegations of Azerbaijan and Armenia act in PACE and the Assembly can contribute to the resolution of the conflict through dialogue. At the same time, she recalled that in 2005, PACE adopted a resolution on the Karabakh conflict.

She also expressed concern over the recent arrests. According to her, there should be normal conditions for the activities of civil society and opportunities for freedom of expression and to bring alternative views to the country's population.

She believes that there is a need for the opposition and critical opinions. 

“In this country there is very little confidence, or maybe it does not exist at all. There is a need for dialogue and trust. I am a realist and I believe that it will not happen quickly. We must be patient and move to this,” said Brasseur.