Council of Europe, European Union, OSCE Present Assistance Plans to Azerbaijan Parliamentary Elections

On 7 April 2010, representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe jointly presented their plans for assisting the Republic of Azerbaijan to prepare the parliamentary elections to be held in November 2010.

“The electoral process is a key priority for the work of our organizations in Azerbaijan, as well as for the country itself as a member of the international community”, said the organizations’ representatives Veronika Kotek (CoE), Roland Kobia (European Union) and Bilge Cankorel (OSCE).

“We encourage the country to continue addressing the shortcomings as identified by international observers in previous elections. For this, an effort is needed by all the actors concerned and we stand ready to support this effort”, they said.

The assistance of these three organizations will concentrate on: strengthening the capacities and independence of the electoral administration and other relevant actors; supporting a media environment that would ensure independent, unbiased and plural coverage of the electoral campaigns of all candidates; encouraging the appropriate exercise of freedom of assembly; and stimulating public interest and participation in the electoral process, including by women.

The three organisations will work together with public authorities as well as civil society and will develop their plans in a concerted and coherent manner to ensure that their assistance best contributes to the efforts of Azerbaijan to hold free and fair parliamentary elections.