Aliyev Says Azerbaijan May Leave the Council of Europe
World
Azerbaijan is considering withdrawing from the Council of Europe following the suspension of its delegation's voting rights in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). President Ilham Aliyev said the issue is now under active consideration by the Azerbaijani leadership.
Speaking at the Global Media Forum, Aliyev stated that Baku is discussing not only freezing its participation but also the possibility of completely leaving the 46-member organization. According to him, the Council of Europe has urged Azerbaijan to remain a member and seek a constructive solution.
The president said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe had personally appealed to him not to withdraw and had called for efforts to improve the current situation.
Aliyev described PACE's 2024 decision to suspend the Azerbaijani delegation's voting rights as the turning point in relations. He called the move unfair and argued that it is the Council of Europe that should reconsider its position.
He stressed that Azerbaijan would consider returning to full participation in PACE only after its delegation's voting rights are restored, insisting that Baku had taken no actions warranting such restrictions.
Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan's ongoing dialogue with the European Union, referring to recent contacts with the leadership of the European Commission, the European Council and the EU's foreign policy service, describing current engagement with Brussels as significant.
The Azerbaijani president also addressed the situation in the Middle East, expressing hope that the latest escalation would be short-lived. He emphasized that lasting peace must be based on international law, justice and mutual respect, while calling on all parties to exercise restraint and work toward normalizing relations.
The president said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe had personally appealed to him not to withdraw and had called for efforts to improve the current situation.
Aliyev described PACE's 2024 decision to suspend the Azerbaijani delegation's voting rights as the turning point in relations. He called the move unfair and argued that it is the Council of Europe that should reconsider its position.
He stressed that Azerbaijan would consider returning to full participation in PACE only after its delegation's voting rights are restored, insisting that Baku had taken no actions warranting such restrictions.
Aliyev also highlighted Azerbaijan's ongoing dialogue with the European Union, referring to recent contacts with the leadership of the European Commission, the European Council and the EU's foreign policy service, describing current engagement with Brussels as significant.
The Azerbaijani president also addressed the situation in the Middle East, expressing hope that the latest escalation would be short-lived. He emphasized that lasting peace must be based on international law, justice and mutual respect, while calling on all parties to exercise restraint and work toward normalizing relations.
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