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Azerbaijani Authorities To Restrict OSCE Mission In Baku

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  • Azerbaijani Authorities To Restrict OSCE Mission In Baku

    AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES TO RESTRICT OSCE MISSION IN BAKU

    19:15, 18 March, 2013

    YEREVAN, MARCH 18, ARMENPRESS: On March 14 the OSCE Permanent
    Representative to Vienna, Harry Robins, made a statement at a meeting
    of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, and announced Azerbaijani
    plans to restrict the OSCE mission in Baku. As reports Armenpress,
    referring to Turan, source in the OSCE reported.

    "We note the request by the Government of Azerbaijan to change the
    mandate of the OSCE Office in Baku. The current mandate of the Office
    in Baku, which was renewed at the beginning of 2013, charges it to
    "promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments in
    all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, economic and
    environmental aspects of security and stability."

    "The OSCE Office in Baku performs critical capacity-building and
    assistance tasks in Azerbaijan. We agree that important progress has
    been made, but also believe that this mission and mandate continue to
    play an important role in helping Azerbaijan to develop its democratic
    institutions. We believe it is in the best interest of the Government
    of Azerbaijan to continue in good faith and respect the terms of the
    agreed mandate. The United States values its close cooperation with
    the Government of Azerbaijan in helping to build a strong democracy
    supported by a vibrant civil society," Robins noted.

    The official Baku has not yet commented on this statement and the
    authorities did not report about such treatment in the OSCE. However,
    according to diplomatic sources, the talk is about the lowering of
    the status of the OSCE mission to the level of Coordinator of projects.

    The most important change is that the Coordinator of projects should
    agree all projects with the Azerbaijani authorities, and should
    realize them only with the consent of official Baku.

    "According to unofficial information, the government wants to reduce
    the staff of the mission and to restrict its powers. Above all,
    these restrictions are on the OSCE mission to carry out actions to
    respond to the events and processes related to elections, violations
    of human rights and democracy.

    In an election year it could mean no-entry of ODIHR observers to the
    country," Turan concluded.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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