01.11.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. The Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are convinced that a simultaneous accession of Armenia and Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe would foster stability and security in the region and would also give impetus to the peaceful solution of the Karabakh conflict.
Mediamax was informed from the press office of the Council of Europe that such a joint statement was made by the Chairman of the CE Committee of Ministers, Foreign Minister of Italy, Lamberto Dini and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Austria, Benita Ferrero-Waldner after the October 31 meeting in Rome.
The heads of the CE and OSCE expressed their hope that “such accession could take place as soon as possible.” In this regard they appeal to all involved in Azerbaijan to hold the forthcoming parliamentary elections on 5 November 2000 according to the standards of both organizations.
Recently the Armenian authorities stated that if the level of the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan is not satisfactory, Armenia will insist on its separate accession to the Council of Europe. “Armenia does not want to become a hostage of political processes in Azerbaijan,” the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said. –0–
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