Azerbaijan Not to Lose Anything from Leaving Council of Europe – Ilham Aliyev

Politics

2017 October 05 ( Thursday ) 11:09:58

Baku / 05.10.17 / Turan: Attempts to present Azerbaijan as a totalitarian country and to slander the country come from certain circles not interested in development of Azerbaijan and seeking to dominate in Azerbaijan. This was stated by Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday at a meeting with the delegation of the Committee for Policy and Security of the Council of the European Union.

"These circles are trying to present Azerbaijan as a totalitarian and authoritarian country where rights and freedoms are violated. This trend lasts from the day I was elected President," Aliyev said. As the authors of the blackening campaign, he called the Armenian lobby, several NGOs, and certain circles "unable to get what they want."

According to him, all freedoms are ensured in Azerbaijan. Restrictions on the freedom of the press and assembly are out of the question, and the opposition holds regular rallies. "As for the arrests, they happen in any country. As for the police violence, I can say that you will not see such an event in Azerbaijan, as it does not exist here," he said.

Touching upon the possibility of secession from the Council of Europe, Aliyev said that public opinion in the country about the Council of Europe is "not so positive." According to him, the attitude towards Azerbaijan in this structure was initially "extremely negative," and Armenia was cared for by lobby groups.

"Unfortunately, several official representatives of the Council of Europe have recently organized new attacks on Azerbaijan. They threaten us with deprivation of membership and the application of sanctions against us. Naturally, our politicians, parliamentarians, journalists and citizens demonstrate an adequate response."

At the center of these unjustified attacks on Azerbaijan, according to Aliyev, is the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

"Targeted attacks on Azerbaijan cause frustration and contribute to such thoughts as "Why do we need such an organization". I will tell you frankly, in a friendly manner, that if Azerbaijan leaves the Council of Europe, no one will attach importance to this. "Nothing in our lives will change, we will not live better, or worse, richer or poorer," he said. -02D-