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In her speech on the first day of the PACE spring session, Ganira Pashayeva, a member of the Azerbaijani delegation, urged the Assembly to exert pressure on Armenia for the release of Azerbaijani hostages Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev.
During the assembly’s plenary meeting today, rapporteur Pedro Agramunt’s report on PACE activity was discussed. During the discussions, Ganira Pashayeva brought the issue of Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev to the attention of the audience.
“You know that inhumane actions have been committed against Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev – two Azerbaijanis taken hostage a few months ago by the separatist regime, which has been created in the Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia and is not recognized by any country but is backed by Armenia, violating all norms of international law. Despite all international calls as well as a number of calls from our counterparts at the Council of Europe, there has been no progress since the last session and the two are still in hostage. Their families are expecting support from the Assembly. We urge the Assembly to step up efforts for their release and include this issue too to the document,” she stressed.
With respect to the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, Pashayeva called on the Council of Europe to take tough steps.
“While joining the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan and Armenia undertake obligations on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Though the years have passed, there is no progress. The reason of it is Armenia’s refusing to fulfill Assembly’s resolution No. 1416 for many years. Council of Europe should not neglect this issue. If the Council of Europe put pressure on Armenia to fulfill its obligations regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and resolution No. 1416 in time, hundreds of civilians wouldn’t have lost their lives so far. Therefore, we urge you to pay attention to this issue and hold discussions in this regard,” she noted.
Apa.az
