LORD RUSSELL-JOHNSTON: WE WILL ORGANIZE A CONFERENCE WITH PARTICIPATION OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS IN STRASBOURG
Azeri Press Agency
Jan 24 2008
Azerbaijan
"I plan to have meetings with president and speaker during my visit
to Azerbaijan.
Meetings with leaders or representatives of political parties
are also planned during the visit," chairman of Nagorno-Karabakh
Subcommittee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) Lord Russell-Johnston said speaking about his planned visit
to Azerbaijan, APA reports.Lord Russell-Johnston said he will first
visit Baku and then return to Strasbourg. He noted that he will visit
Armenia after the presidential elections and will have discussions
about Azerbaijan-Armenia relations during his visits.
"I want to discuss the Committee’s views with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev and future Armenian President. Though statements are often
made that we are engaged in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, I want to say that we do not deal with the settlement of
the conflict. Ways of solution of the conflict is being investigated
with negotiations in the framework of OSCE Minsk Group.
But we want to improve contacts among parliamentarians. I would like
to know whether the leaders of the two countries consider this action
useful" he said.
Russell-Johnston assessing delay of the visit of the mission for
Cultural Heritage in the South Caucasus led by British parliamentarian
Edward O’Hara regretfully wished it not to be repeated in future.
Committee head noting that they intend to carry out negotiations
for improving relations, organize conference with the participation
of 30 parliamentarians from Azerbaijan and Armenia said that it is
expedient that the place of the event was neutral.
"I will visit Baku on February 8, then Armenia. I will discuss
organization of the event in March or April in the framework of my
visits. But conference is scheduled to be held in Strasburg on April
18," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
