Luxembourg's FM calls for PACE to remain platform for dialogue

Luxembourg's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, has expressed his support for the resumption of activities within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) under the action plan for Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the winter session of PACE, Bettel emphasized the importance of maintaining the organization as a vital platform for dialogue, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“The Council of Europe must continue to be a platform for dialogue,” said the Minister, pointing out nonetheless that all states must meet their international obligations, including the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

Bettel highlighted the recent resumption of cooperation measures outlined in the action plan on Azerbaijan, which had been suspended following PACE's decision to not ratify the credentials of Azerbaijan's parliamentary delegation.

Bettel also underscored the determination of PACE member states to provide the necessary resources to continue fulfilling commitments made at the Reykjavik Summit in May 2023.

"The next meeting of foreign ministers, to be held in Luxembourg on May 13-14, will provide an opportunity to assess the implementation of the Reykjavik decisions," he added.

To recall, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) did not ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation in the organization last year.

Some 76 MPs voted in favour of the decision, 10 against, while four abstained.

However, the Azerbaijani delegation left the organization even before the vote, stressing that "in the face of the current unbearable atmosphere of racism, Azerbaijanophobia, and Islamophobia in the PACE, the delegation of Azerbaijan decides to cease its engagement with and presence at the PACE until further notice".

By Vafa Guliyeva