Azeri Delegation Activities in PACE - Cheap Political Gambling

PanARMENIAN.Net - Discussions titled "Forest fires. Ecological consequences and influence of policy of territorial planning" were held in Strasbourg today, reported the RA NA press office. From the very beginning the Azeri delegation accused Nagorno Karabakh of setting up arsons. In this view Armenian parliament speaker Tigran Torosian delivered a speech. He said in part, "This is really a very serious problem and I would not take the floor if our Azeri counterpart hadn't call on you to urge my assistance as the chairman of the Armenian National Assembly. I appreciate the confidence of the Azeri counterparts and want to response to these statements.



For a week already the Azeri delegation keeps on stating that Armenians set fire to the forests along the border of Nagorno Karabakh. The mildest assessment I can give to this show is cheap political gambling. I will explain why. Three years ago Nagorno Karabakh authorities being concerned over the fires at the near-border pastures proposed Azerbaijan to work out joint mechanisms for prevention of fires. Azerbaijan did not response to the proposal. The difference of the positions of NKR and Azerbaijan on the matter is obvious. While Baku was setting up clamor NKR Foreign Ministry June 15 requested the Office of the OSCE CiO's Personal Representative to hold a monitoring to assess the real situation and refute false accusations advanced by Azerbaijan. The OSCE mission has been examining the near-border territories for several days but found nothing what could prove Azerbaijan's statements. Unfortunately, spreading hatred and invented accusations - these are the methods Azerbaijan uses when discussing any matter. For this purpose they are even ready to falsify the CoE documents. This is nothing but disrespect for the PACE and the CoE principles."