PACE President: Armenia's borders should be openJuly 10, 2007 - 15:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is an adherent to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, however, it can't force sides to any decision," PACE President, Mr Rene van der Linden said in Baku. "I am deeply concerned over calls alternative to peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I do call upon the sides to solve the problem peacefully. In order to do that the international community should build up pressure while Presidents of both states should redouble efforts," he said."The member countries should abide by the values of the Council of Europe. Despite progress there are still many problems. The forthcoming presidential elections will be a test for Azerbaijan. Presently, Azerbaijan and the Venice Commission are holding consultations on recommendations. Juridical reforms and freedom of speech are also needed. The opposition should have a possibility to use media freedom. I am hopeful that media will take an unbiased stance during the elections," he said. The PACE President underscored that the problem of political prisoners should not exist in the CoE member states. Mr van der Linden requested to release 7 journalists kept in custody in Baku. He also told reporters that Armenia's borders should be open. "The past should not trouble the future. Each side, especially Armenia, is interested in settlement of the conflict. I welcome mutual visits of intellectuals of both states," Mr van der Linden said, Bakililar.az reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |