[ 29 September 2015 00:15 ]
Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli - APA. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland answered questions of members of the Assembly at today's plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe, APA’s European bureau reports.
Answering to the question addressed by representative of Azerbaijani delegation Rafael Huseynov regarding the refugee crisis in Europe and existence over a million refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan, Thorbjorn Jagland said that Turkey and Azerbaijan are more ready to receive the refugees, rather than the European countries.
"The problem of refugees started 2-3 months ago and today we are discussing these issues. I know that Turkey and Azerbaijan, countries with a Muslim population, are more ready to open the doors to refugees. We do more to close the door to refugees, even drive them out. I can not add anything further, I know about this, and we must do everything we can to prevent this crisis, "said Jagland.
Further, the French MP Francois Rochebloine asked a question accusing Azerbaijan of violating the ceasefire. Secretary General said that he was aware of the increased tensions, expressing its concern at this point: " Only The OSCE Mink Group has the mandate in the settlement of this issue. We, as the Council of Europe at the time offered our assistance. But we were told that the OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in this issue. But still we have to state our position. Because the conflicting parties are members of the Council of Europe and have committed to resolve the issue by peaceful means, as reflected in the documents of the Council of Europe. "
