Opposition unites

United Movement of Opposition set up in summit of 32 parties

Major opposition parties signed for the first time for the establishment of a united movement of opposition in a summit of 32 political parties Thursday, thus accomplishing the integration attempts of the opposition, ongoing since last fall.

The summit was initiated by Musavat chairman Isa Gambar. The parties included in Democratic Congress-2, as well as the Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan didn't take part in the summit.

The agenda of the gathering included the adoption of an address on the Garabagh conflict to foreign states and international organizations, a statement on the social and economic crisis in Azerbaijan, as well as issues of cooperation of the opposition. 26 parties signed an agreement on the United Movement of Opposition, which envisions cooperation and mutual commitments of the opposition.

The newly established entity aims to achieve free and democratic presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections, to hold mass protest actions and help form a legitimate government in Azerbaijan.

The entity is believed to function as a consultative and cooperation center of the opposition. Its supreme body is to be Board of Chairmen comprising the leaders of the parties. The sessions on the basis of rotating chairmanship shall be held at least once a month.

The summit completed after the political leaders adopted four documents, declarations on the social and political situation in the country and the liberation of Garabagh (signed by 30 parties) an agreement on cooperation and mutual commitments of political parties (26 parties) and the regulations on the united movement of the opposition.