Parliament adopts statement over Seleznyov's remarks

The statement by the Speaker of the Russian State Duma Gennadiy Seleznyov made during a visit to Armenia and suggesting that Upper Garabagh could join the Russia-Byelorussia Commonwealth only as part of Armenia has caused utter public indignation in the Azerbaijan Parliament. MPs have described the remark as an insult of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and demanded that Baku issue a statement in response.

Speaker Alasgarov said Seleznyov's statement contradicts the agreement "On friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia" signed in Moscow in 1997. He added that Russian speaker's opinion does not necessarily represent the position of Russia. Mr. Alasgarov went on to say that a responsive statement is being prepared urging Seleznyov's explanation.

Opposition furious

Monday's meeting of the council of chairmen of the Democratic Congress-1 condemned the statement by the Russian parliament Speaker, saying that Russia should reconsider its relations with neighboring countries.