In Azerbaijan, diplomats meet opposition leaders

On June 10, at the headquarters of the oppositional "Musavat" Party, the diplomatic corps and heads of the international organizations deployed in Azerbaijan held a meeting with activists of the oppositional Civil Movement for Democracy "Public Chamber" (CMDPC).

The topic of discussion was the current political situation in Azerbaijan and issues of democratic freedoms.

The diplomatic corps was represented by Bilgi Cankorel, the head of OSCE Office in Baku; Constantine Erokostopulos, Special Envoy of Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Azerbaijan; Caroline Brown, the British Ambassador; and employees of the EU's Office and Embassies of the USA, France, Germany, Turkey and Poland.

As stated at the end of the meeting by Bilgi Cankorel, "the roadmap for transition to democracy developed by the CMDPC and other issues, including the opposition rally planned for June 19, were discussed."

Isa Gambar, the leader of the "Musavat" Party, said that "the talk was detailed and comprehensive." "I think that this meeting will benefit the democratic development and European integration of Azerbaijan," he said.

Mr Gambar added that the issues of liberation of "prisoners of conscience" and training of young people expelled from universities for their political beliefs at universities in Europe were also discussed at the meeting.