THEY PROMISED THE CE WHEN JOINING
Support A1+!Non-renewal of licences of foreign broadcasters in Azerbaijan Statement by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers and Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, and Lluís Maria De Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Strasbourg, 15.01.2009 - “When it acceded to the Council of Europe in 2001, Azerbaijan undertook to guarantee the freedom of expression and independence of the media, which are essential preconditions for the functioning of a democratic society. We find it highly regrettable that the Azerbaijani National Radio and Television Council recently decided not to renew the licences of several foreign broadcasters. This cannot but create obstacles to pluralism of information in this country to the detriment of the interests of the Azerbaijani population. As pluralism is the basis of the principles in any democratic society, we hope that the decision adopted will be reconsidered and that steps can be taken quickly to rectify this situation. As it has done in the past, the Council of Europe is ready to provide assistance to the Azerbaijani authorities to this end.”
