PACE Developments: Absurd and Scandalous

• 04.21.2016, 12:17
•  Europe,  NKR

PACE spring session has been full of interesting episodes, absurd incidents and various scandals.

First, let's refer to the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's speech at PACE, who called on the Azerbaijani authorities to stop the fire in Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The Azerbaijani delegation member Pashayeva asked Juncker's opinion on Karabakh conflict, in response to which Juncker gave a very clear and brief answer.

"The only thing I can say to Azerbaijan is to stop the fire, to stop the fighting."

Stormy applauses of the audience followed Juncker's speech.

However, the European Commission President was followed by another PACE invitee, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who made quite the opposite calls. He accused Yerevan of "the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and the violation of the ceasefire."

He noted that the international community should warn Armenian authorities about the inadmissibility of military provocation and violation of the ceasefire.

It is noteworthy that the Turkish Prime Minister's statement was highly applauded by a few hundred Turks, who actually had no right to enter the Assembly hall.

Davutoglu also left no time for questions at the end of his speech.

In particular, the Armenian delegation had a number of questions to the Prime Minister of Turkey, including on Karabakh topic, but the guest, violated the timetable with the permission of President of PACE Pedro Agramunt.

Agramunt, who is best known for his pro-Azerbaijani position over Karabakh conflict did not warn or interrupt Davutoglu, who spoke for about 50 minutes instead of 30 allowed.

Another absurd element was that the Greek member of the PACE Ioanetta Kavvadia called to condemn the Armenian government, referring to the report on Sarsang reservior, in the preparation works of which the the Armenian side had not participated. The delegate called to take certain measures against the Armenian delegates. 

Among those "measures" have been even threats such as depriving our delegates of the right to vote. So it was not enough that during PACE winter session Milica Markovic' resolution on Sarsang water reservoir was adopted due to the Azerbaijani lobby, as a result of which, Azerbaijan was given carte blanche to unleash a war, and now some other steps are being taken against our Armenian delegation. After all this, a question arises as to whether Europe is a great advocate of justice and the defender of human rights... To be fair it should be noted that this approach is shared by a part of delegates in PACE and European Parliament statements made during the discussion of the problem shows that diversity is one of Europe's main features.