EU: conduct of parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan was not sufficient to constitute meaningful progress in the democratic development of the country

PanARMENIAN.Net - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to address shortcomings identified by international observers in the country’s electoral process.

In a statement issued in Brussels, she said: “I take note of the preliminary findings and conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission stating that the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan were characterized by a peaceful atmosphere and that all opposition parties participated in the political process, but that the conduct of these elections overall was not sufficient to constitute meaningful progress in the democratic development of the country.”

“I call on the Azerbaijani authorities to address these shortcomings as well as the problematic issues identified by OSCE/ODHIR in the course of the electoral process.”

The High Representative also encouraged the Azerbaijani authorities “to enhance their efforts to honour their international commitments regarding democratic principles and human rights, and in particular with regard to ensuring and strengthening democratic pluralism, media freedom, and freedom of assembly.”

Ashton said Azerbaijan was a key partner for the EU, which stood ready to continue its support to the implementation of further political reforms, including in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, ENPI info center reported.