Georgian PACE member urges direct dialogue with Azerbaijan's new parliamentarians

Eka Sepashvili, a member of the Georgian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), has called for discussions on establishing direct contact with Azerbaijan's newly elected parliamentarians.

She emphasized the importance of ensuring the participation of all parties in line with PACE's core values.

In a statement to local media, Sepashvili highlighted that PACE's ongoing conversations about human rights, the rule of law, and democracy necessitate continued dialogue with the Azerbaijani delegation, Caliber.Az reports.

“Open dialogue on all topics is essential. It’s counterproductive to make judgments without hearing the voice of the Azerbaijani delegation and recognizing its perspective,” she asserted, underscoring the need to adhere to PACE's principles of dialogue.

Recently, some European deputies have proposed including discussions on Azerbaijan in the upcoming fall session of PACE. However, Givi Mikanadze, head of the Georgian delegation, opposed this notion, advocating instead for the involvement of all parties in discussions and direct ties with the newly elected parliament. “We must uphold the principle of dialogue within PACE,” he stated.

In turn, Zsolt Nemeth, head of the Hungarian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), expressed his belief that discussing Azerbaijan without its delegation is unwise. He emphasized that PACE should have demonstrated greater discernment in its decisions, acting independently of the Committee of Ministers, which holds a different perspective on Azerbaijan.

Nemeth noted, “There is a distinct approach to the issue of Azerbaijan within Europe. It’s time to find solutions that respect Azerbaijan’s interests. I see a clear need for dialogue, and our partners should seek avenues for constructive communication. This will aid in resolving the situation,” he stated.

Additionally, Oleksiy Honcharenko, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, expressed support for Azerbaijan’s participation in PACE, noting, “Azerbaijan is part of the civilized world and the European family. I did not support limiting the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation.”

He believes that both Azerbaijan and PACE can take steps to resolve the current situation, emphasizing that collaboration will be beneficial for all parties involved. “Azerbaijan should remain an integral member of this organization,” Goncharenko concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova