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Q&A with Council of Europe Secretary General
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 1 2005
Q. Mr. Davis, first of all we would like to ask you several questions
on the Summit of heads of state and governments of the Council of
Europe member states. What do you believe has changed since the Summit
or what do you think will change?
A. The Summit was an important landmark in the history of the Council
of Europe because we were given a clear mandate to continue our work
in developing democracy, defending human rights and advancing the rule
of law throughout Europe. These values are not stagnant concepts. They
develop with time and are all interlinked. One concrete step resulting
from the Summit is that the Council of Europe will establish a Forum
for the Future of Democracy, open to all member states and civil
society, to strengthen democracy, political freedom and citizens'
participation. Another important decision was to set up a center of
expertise on local government reform, which will contribute to good
local and regional governance by promoting standards and good practices
and assisting member states with capacity-building at the local
and regional level. The Summit also decided to launch a Europe-wide
campaign against racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Q. What are your personal expectations on the future of Europe?
A. Europe is a process, which is under continuous construction,
and we must see it as a long-term project. The Council of Europe
was established to encourage European unity. With 46 member states,
we now have a pan-European dimension - only Belarus is regrettably
missing from the European family. Our goal is to translate our values
of democracy, human rights and the rule of law into reality throughout
Europe. It is a slow process, but we will succeed.
Q. We would like to ask for your comments on the recent developments
in Azerbaijan. The recent statement of the PACE Monitoring Committee
contained very strong elements of red alarm regarding the current
socio-political situation. Do you think the situation is so complex?
Is there any possibility of achieving a peaceful solution of the
problems between the authorities and the opposition parties?
A. The two Committee rapporteurs on Azerbaijan are both experienced
parliamentarians well-acquainted with the political and human
rights situation in your country. I have every confidence in their
assessment of developments in Azerbaijan. There is no doubt that
there are some serious shortfalls - such as obstacles to freedom of
assembly and expression. These are basic human rights that should be
respected in a democratic country. There are also other areas where
there is plenty of room for improvement. In particular, sincere and
constructive dialogue between the authorities and the opposition
parties is essential. Political will is needed from both sides to
normalize the relationship and to create a climate of openness in
the political life of the country.
Q. What do you expect from the November parliamentary elections in
Azerbaijan? Does the Council of Europe have any action plans to assist
the country in avoiding possible social catastrophes or the widely
speculated 'revolution'? Does the CE have any tools or mechanisms to
assist Azerbaijan in achieving civil dialogue within the country?
A. It is not my place to speculate about the forthcoming elections.
As far as I am concerned, there is no alternative to free and fair
elections - especially since the previous elections were marred by
irregularities. We have therefore prepared an action plan to support
the organization of honest elections. The plan has a three-fold focus:
election assistance, which includes revision of the Election Code and
assistance to the election administration; awareness-raising and voter
education aimed at increasing public participation in the election
process; and promotion of Council of Europe standards and values
through civil society and media. I hope that our action will have an
impact in the conduct of fair parliament elections this autumn. I
think Azerbaijan has a remarkable tool if people want to improve
democracy in their society. This tool is membership of the Council of
Europe. The country has at its disposal a wealth of knowledge of our
norms, standards, values and practices. Cooperation with the Council
of Europe also gives an opportunity to learn from the experience of
other member states in the sphere of political interaction between
the various actors in society as well as in participatory democracy
in general.
Q. If any registered falsifications during the parliamentary elections
were to re-occur, what would be the position of the Council of Europe?
A. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will send
an observation mission for the elections. Much will depend on their
assessment of the conduct of the poll, and I am not going to make any
premature judgments. My message is that the elections should be held
in an irreproachable manner. Azerbaijan has a chance to show that it
can pass the test of democracy, and that it can be the flagship in
this regard for other countries in transition.
Q. Mr Secretary General, having been a rapporteur on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper Garabagh conflict, what are your comments
on the recent ceasefire breaches on the frontline? What do you think
about the recent developments in the negotiating process between the
two governments? Do you see the end of this conflict?
A. I am very concerned that the ceasefire has not been kept. Every
loss of life is tragic, and too many people have lost their lives in
Armenia and Azerbaijan. On the other hand, it is encouraging that the
negotiation process has resumed. I think that since the so-called
Prague process started a year ago, the prospects for a peaceful
settlement have increased considerably.
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 1 2005
Q. Mr. Davis, first of all we would like to ask you several questions
on the Summit of heads of state and governments of the Council of
Europe member states. What do you believe has changed since the Summit
or what do you think will change?
A. The Summit was an important landmark in the history of the Council
of Europe because we were given a clear mandate to continue our work
in developing democracy, defending human rights and advancing the rule
of law throughout Europe. These values are not stagnant concepts. They
develop with time and are all interlinked. One concrete step resulting
from the Summit is that the Council of Europe will establish a Forum
for the Future of Democracy, open to all member states and civil
society, to strengthen democracy, political freedom and citizens'
participation. Another important decision was to set up a center of
expertise on local government reform, which will contribute to good
local and regional governance by promoting standards and good practices
and assisting member states with capacity-building at the local
and regional level. The Summit also decided to launch a Europe-wide
campaign against racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Q. What are your personal expectations on the future of Europe?
A. Europe is a process, which is under continuous construction,
and we must see it as a long-term project. The Council of Europe
was established to encourage European unity. With 46 member states,
we now have a pan-European dimension - only Belarus is regrettably
missing from the European family. Our goal is to translate our values
of democracy, human rights and the rule of law into reality throughout
Europe. It is a slow process, but we will succeed.
Q. We would like to ask for your comments on the recent developments
in Azerbaijan. The recent statement of the PACE Monitoring Committee
contained very strong elements of red alarm regarding the current
socio-political situation. Do you think the situation is so complex?
Is there any possibility of achieving a peaceful solution of the
problems between the authorities and the opposition parties?
A. The two Committee rapporteurs on Azerbaijan are both experienced
parliamentarians well-acquainted with the political and human
rights situation in your country. I have every confidence in their
assessment of developments in Azerbaijan. There is no doubt that
there are some serious shortfalls - such as obstacles to freedom of
assembly and expression. These are basic human rights that should be
respected in a democratic country. There are also other areas where
there is plenty of room for improvement. In particular, sincere and
constructive dialogue between the authorities and the opposition
parties is essential. Political will is needed from both sides to
normalize the relationship and to create a climate of openness in
the political life of the country.
Q. What do you expect from the November parliamentary elections in
Azerbaijan? Does the Council of Europe have any action plans to assist
the country in avoiding possible social catastrophes or the widely
speculated 'revolution'? Does the CE have any tools or mechanisms to
assist Azerbaijan in achieving civil dialogue within the country?
A. It is not my place to speculate about the forthcoming elections.
As far as I am concerned, there is no alternative to free and fair
elections - especially since the previous elections were marred by
irregularities. We have therefore prepared an action plan to support
the organization of honest elections. The plan has a three-fold focus:
election assistance, which includes revision of the Election Code and
assistance to the election administration; awareness-raising and voter
education aimed at increasing public participation in the election
process; and promotion of Council of Europe standards and values
through civil society and media. I hope that our action will have an
impact in the conduct of fair parliament elections this autumn. I
think Azerbaijan has a remarkable tool if people want to improve
democracy in their society. This tool is membership of the Council of
Europe. The country has at its disposal a wealth of knowledge of our
norms, standards, values and practices. Cooperation with the Council
of Europe also gives an opportunity to learn from the experience of
other member states in the sphere of political interaction between
the various actors in society as well as in participatory democracy
in general.
Q. If any registered falsifications during the parliamentary elections
were to re-occur, what would be the position of the Council of Europe?
A. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will send
an observation mission for the elections. Much will depend on their
assessment of the conduct of the poll, and I am not going to make any
premature judgments. My message is that the elections should be held
in an irreproachable manner. Azerbaijan has a chance to show that it
can pass the test of democracy, and that it can be the flagship in
this regard for other countries in transition.
Q. Mr Secretary General, having been a rapporteur on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper Garabagh conflict, what are your comments
on the recent ceasefire breaches on the frontline? What do you think
about the recent developments in the negotiating process between the
two governments? Do you see the end of this conflict?
A. I am very concerned that the ceasefire has not been kept. Every
loss of life is tragic, and too many people have lost their lives in
Armenia and Azerbaijan. On the other hand, it is encouraging that the
negotiation process has resumed. I think that since the so-called
Prague process started a year ago, the prospects for a peaceful
settlement have increased considerably.