No:223/24, Press release on the participation and speech of Deputy Minister Fariz Rzayev at the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
17 May 2024 19:54
The delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Fariz Rzayev, participated in the 133rd session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held on 16-17 May 2024 in the city of Strasbourg.
During his speech at the session, the Deputy Minister informed that after ending the armed conflict with Armenia in 2020, Azerbaijan has been carrying out large-scale reconstruction of 9 cities and more than 300 villages completely destroyed as a result of military occupation. He recalled that nearly 4,000 of our compatriots are missing and stated that our country is facing a massive mine threat, while Armenia is not cooperating in addressing these issues.
It was brought to attention that negotiations are being conducted on the draft bilateral agreement based on the mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the inviolability of state borders between the sides, that last week the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries met for the next stage of negotiations, that the Speakers of the Parliaments of the two countries met twice this year, and that the delimitation commissions are regularly holding meetings and an agreement has been reached on delimitation in a certain section of the border line.
Deputy Minister Fariz Rzayev emphasized that Azerbaijan is open to cooperation with the institutions of the Council of Europe based on dialogue and mutual respect, however, despite this, the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe not to ratify the credentials of our country’s parliamentary delegation is an unjust decision.
During his speech, Deputy Minister Fariz Rzayev also brought to attention that as the former Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and a current member of its Troika, Azerbaijan regrets the continuation by France of neo-colonial traditions, particularly against New Caledonia, in contradiction with the core values and principles of the Council of Europe.
On 17 May, Deputy Minister Fariz Rzayev also met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, and an exchange of views was held on issues of mutual interest.