“This is not a resolution but an opinion of 27 delegates. It is anti-Azerbaijan only for eight Armenian delegates. The rest are probably concerned about persecution against Azerbaijan journalists,” so responded former head of Armenian delegation in PACE, Hovhannes Igityan, to the question of Aravot.am whether he keeps to the opinion that Armenia never had such a weak delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), whereas the second anti-Azerbaijan resolution is put into circulation in PACE. Recall that at the PACE summer session, after President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s anti-Armenian speech, when the Armenian delegates did not respond to him, Mr. Igityan expressed an opinion that “Armenia never had such a weak delegation in PACE.” However, during the session, it became clear that the PACE has passed the draft resolution, which was put into circulation by the initiative of the Armenian delegation in PACE, referring to the pressures exerted against investigative journalists writing about corruption in Azerbaijan. The PACE delegation member, Arpine Hovhannisyan, in this regard, mentioned, “The theme of such initiatives is the pan-European. The initiative is important because it will be on the agenda for about two years and will be constantly circulated.” In contrast to the above-mentioned, Mr. Igityan expressed such an opinion, “The Armenian delegates have repeatedly proven that they are not interested in freedom of expression or the political prisoners, both in Armenia and other countries. Therefore, it is not objective and it will serve no benefit to the Karabakh conflict. Regardless of what signatures they are collecting there, I repeat again, the Armenian delegation in the European Parliament should be a part of this family, and not be engaged in imitation of being a “European”, or pretend to be an anti-Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is necessary to learn languages, be aware of and concerned about all Europe concerning processes, be respected and recognized in the PACE.” Mr. Igityan once again repeated, “They should have put Aliyev to his place right away, at least in the form of questions, and not only about human rights, but also Karabakh conflict and aggressive military action.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
