MOSCOW, September 25 (RIA Novosti) - The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Anne Brasseur called on Thursday for a broad dialogue between the authorities, political figures and civil society in Azerbaijan after her three-day visit to the country.
"Dialogue requires that all sides must be prepared to listen to each other, treat each other with respect and try to understand each other, even though they might not come to an agreement. By making small steps, progress can be achieved. Our Assembly is ready to support this process," Brasseur said as quoted on the PACE official website.
During her visit, Brasseur met the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, and representatives of political forces in Parliament, as well as members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Assembly.
Brasseur expressed concern over "systematic deficiencies in the operation of justice" in Azerbaijan and encouraged the government to make "more progress on freedom of expression and freedom of association, as well as the independence of the judiciary."
Brasseur stated that as a PACE member state, Azerbaijan has to fulfill its legal and political obligations and commitments.
Anne Brasseur expressed hope that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will allow for "a real debate between majority and opposition political forces as well as representatives of civil society."
Brasseur also discussed the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The PACE President supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and offered help in establishing a comprehensive political dialogue between the parties.
