Turkey Calls on PACE to Reconsider Decision to Expel Azerbaijani Delegation

Turkey is demanding that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reconsider its decision to expel the Azerbaijani delegation from the Assembly's activities, arguing that the resolution adopted by PACE would "hinder efforts for regional peace and stability."

“Turkey calls on PACE to promptly address this error and to focus on efforts to establish peace in the South Caucasus,” reports Turkey's Foreign Ministry.

It is noteworthy that on January 24, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe decided not to legitimize the powers of the Azerbaijani delegation, resulting in the delegation's expulsion from the Assembly for at least one year. PACE cited a number of reasons for this unprecedented decision, including the blockade of the Lachin corridor and its severe consequences, which led to the forced displacement of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as Azerbaijan's democratic issues, such as the growing number of political prisoners, concerns regarding elections, governance, the independence of the judiciary, and overall rule of law issues.