AssA-Irada,
18, September 2007

The Azadlig bloc of Azerbaijan's major opposition parties has developed a package of proposals concerning the implementation of the Action Plan within the European New Neighborhood Policy (ENNP) signed between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU).

The opposition circles have not paid enough attention to the Action Plan over the past year, the co-founder of the bloc and chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Ali Karimli said.

Karimli claimed that there was a need for a detailed document for implementation of the Action Plan since the situation with human rights, free elections and media in Azerbaijan was poor.

The PFPA deputy chairman Fuad Mustafayev said the Azadlig bloc pays attention primarily to the improvement of the election system and protection of human rights and basic freedoms.

The alliance proposes to set up a working group comprising representatives of the Council of Europe and OSCE, as well as the Azerbaijani authorities and opposition, in order to draft amendments to the Electoral Code, to form the system of parallel counting of votes as well as to restrict the presidential authority.

Members of the European Commission will visit Azerbaijan next week to monitor the work being carried out within the Action Plan.