At a press conference on October 22, Edward Sharmazanov summarized the results of the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly, which took place on October 17 in St. Petersburg. The conference was regarded to violations in terms of respect for human rights and prevention of suicides in cyberspace.
The NA Vice President mentioning in his speech the necessity for intense fight against racism and xenophobia, stated that there is a country Azerbaijan in the CIS territory, where the phenomenon of racism is encouraged. In this country military rhetoric has more frequent character, whereas Armenia prepares its people for the public peace. “Children growing up in a proper moral and spiritual context is too expensive for me.” he said.
Edward Sharmazanov reminded the speech of the Azerbaijani president this spring, saying that their main enemies are Armenians spread all over the world.
Na Vice president also reminded the case of Safarov, who killed Armenian officer, and the fact of extradition and giving pardon by the Azerbaijani president, he described it as the most vivid example of xenophobia.
“It is no coincidence that a lot of countries and international organizations, including CSTO Secretary General and the RF Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman said that granting amnesty to Safarov contradicts with the international law and contribute to the growth tension in the region,” said Edward Sharmazanov.
Vice President once again assured in his speech that Armenia chose democracy and tolerance, rather than marsh of xenophobia.
The day before the conference in St. Petersburg Edward Sharmazanov met the General secretary of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (IPA) Alexei Sergeev. The parties exchanged views on further deepening of the integration process and the possible developments. The NA Vice President noted that Armenia is interested in the deepening of the CIS integration process and is actively involved in those projects.
Referring to the current stage of the Karabakh conflict, Edward Sharmazanov stressed that a military solution to the conflict and Azerbaijan’s position are unacceptable and destructive. He added that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved within the framework of OSCE Minsk Group by peace negotiations.
Alexei Sergeev in his turn praised the work of the NA members in the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly, expressing hope that the partnership will continue.
