May 31, 2007 - 17:01 AMT
NATO PA: Number of religious-radical groups increases in Azerbaijan
NATO PA (Parliamentary Assembly) Committee for Civil Security Measures held hearings on the subject entitled "State and Religion in Black Sea Region". In his report on Azerbaijan Dutch deputy Bert Middel criticized Caucasian Muslims Office, underlining corruptibility of that structure. The report also informed that there exists a conflict between the State Committee on Works with Religious Structures and the above-mentioned organization. It underlines that the number of religious-radical groups increases in Azerbaijan.

The NATO PA Committee also discussed issues concerning the protection of "critical infrastructures". According to rapporteur from Great Britain lord Joplikin, existence of "frozen conflicts" continues to create threats for oil pipelines. "Some countries do not want existence of alternative oil and gas pipelines at all. Any time they can activate existing conflicts, which will result in destruction of infrastructure," he underlined," Baku based Zerkalo newspaper reports.

The spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly was held in Madeira Island (Portugal) May 25-29.