Azerbaijani, PACE officials discuss reforms, cooperation

The co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Jan Liddel-Granger and Liz Kristoffersen, who are in Azerbaijan, have visited the country's Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Deputy Chairman Chingiz Asgarov informed the guests in detail about the reforms carried out in the judicial and legal system under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership, Report informs.

He noted that particular importance is attached to expanding business contacts with the institutions of the Council of Europe, as well as cooperation in the judicial and legal sphere with the countries that are members of the Council of Europe.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

The history of relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe began in 1992. On January 24, 1992, the parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan applied to the Council of Europe to get the status of “specially invited guest”.

In February 1995, PACE Bureau initiated the consideration of Azerbaijan’s appeal to obtain the status of “specially invited guest” in accordance with recommendation 1247 (1994), which provides for the right of three South Caucasus states to apply for admission to the Council of Europe.

On March 17-18, 1996, at the meeting of the European Commission for democracy by the law of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission), Azerbaijan was admitted to the commission as a member. In June 1996, taking into account the efforts of Azerbaijan toward building a Democratic state, PACE Bureau adopted a decision to grant the country the status of “specially invited guest”.

Azerbaijan is currently a participant in more than 60 international conventions adopted by the Council of Europe. The Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation to PACE consists of six active and six substitute members, in general, 12 members. The delegation put forward initiatives that serve the interests of Azerbaijan in accordance with the agenda of the session and actively participates in discussions on relevant documents.