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Carl Bildt, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Foreign Minister of Sweden made a statement on the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, APA reports quoting the official website of the Council of Europe.
“I am pleased to note that the elections were generally carried out in a calm and quiet atmosphere and welcome the improvements noted in the conduct of this election. However, shortcomings were identified in a number of areas. The Azerbaijani authorities need to ensure an accurate and transparent process for complaints and appeals. It is highly regrettable that part of the opposition decided not to take part in the elections,” he said.
Minister Bildt recalled the importance for the Azerbaijani authorities to implement all their commitments to the Council of Europe, in particular regarding freedom of the media and to increase their efforts to promote the development of a pluralist civil society.
