Azerbaijan blacklisting PACE members ‘can only backfire’, says President Theodoros Rousopoulos

YEREVAN, AUGUST 27, ARMENPRESS. PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos has reacted to the announcement by the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan that certain members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be considered as personae non gratae in the country.

“This is a more than regrettable signal which only renders the current position of Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe more difficult. Member states have undertaken to respect the standards of democracy: blacklisting those who have voted according to their conscience can only backfire," the PACE President has said. 

Earlier this year, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, which were challenged on the opening day of the session, concluding that the country has “not fulfilled major commitments” stemming from its joining the Council of Europe 20 years ago. Azerbaijan responded by declaring PACE members who voted in favor of not ratifying the credentials as personae non gratae.