Lord Johnston due in Baku

Chairman of the PA CE calls on Armenia in Yerevan to liberate Azerbaijan’s occupied lands

The visit to Baku by the chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PA CE) Lord Russell Johnston has been scheduled for September 14-16.

While in Baku, the PA CE chairman will meet with President Aliyev, speaker of the Milli Mejlis Alasgarov to explore for opportunities of expanding inter-parliamentary contacts, the way Azerbaijan is fulfilling the commitments it has undertaken in the Council of Europe, democratization in the country, etc. He is also scheduled to meet with leaders of political parties. Lord Johnston started his tour of the Caucasus countries with Yerevan, where he arrived on September 9.

According to Armenian news agency "MediaMax", the chairman was to meet with the ambassadors of COE member-states represented in Armenia, members of the Armenian delegation in the PA CE, Armenian President Kocharian, Armenian clerical leader Garegin the second and Prime Minister Margarian.

According to Russian "Novosti" news agency, Lord Johnston’s presentation in the Armenian parliament drew fire from most of Armenian MPs. In his remarks at the parliament’s opening session Lord Johnston underscored the importance of returning "the territories occupied by the armed forces of the self-proclaimed Upper Garabagh Republic" to Azerbaijan.

The utterance caused uncontrollable hubbub in the parliament, as many deputies walked out in protest.

Apparently, Strasbourg is this time seriously determined to tackle the Garabagh settlement process. Lord Johnston highlighted that the time had come for that, especially since Armenia and Azerbaijan are both members of the Council of Europe.

According to the PA CE chairman, the decision on acceptance of both nations to the authoritative organization was intended to inspire them for further peace efforts. However, the results have not emerged yet, which has been causing disappointment both in Strasbourg proper and in other European capitals.

Lord Johnston mentioned that the COE had initiated the direct dialogue between Armenian and Azeri President, which was embarked upon in March 1999. Expressing his satisfaction with the numerous contacts between the two heads of state, the PA CE chairman said the dialogue frames should be expanded and broad public involved in negotiations.

According to Lord Johnston, borders are gradually becoming less important and have got to be more transparent in the future.

«I am confident that the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan aspire to live in peace, stability and prosperity. This is something that can become a reality thanks to the COE», he said.

Speaking of the statement issued by the COE in regard to the illegitimacy of the local elections in Upper Garabagh, the PA CE chairman said Upper Garabagh was «an occupied territory».