US calls on Azerbaijan's authorities not to close OSCE office in Baku

Washington is disappointed by the plans of the Azerbaijan's authorities to close the Baku OSCE office; however, such a decision should be taken collectively by all 57 member states of the organization. This was stated by US official.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) gave one month to the OSCE for completing the work of its office in Baku. Mass media informed about it on June 6.

On June 8, the Washington's reaction to the decision of the Azerbaijan's authorities was announced by Daniel Baer, the US Ambassador to the OSCE, at the meeting of the Permanent Council of the OSCE held in Vienna.

"Last Friday, we learned from the Secretary General that Azerbaijan had announced its intention to terminate the memorandum on functioning of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Baku. It is deeply disappointing. Meanwhile, it is important to remember that the OSCE Project Coordinator operates on the basis of the political mandate sanctioned by all 57 OSCE member states. Therefore, like any decision made through the consensus of the member states, it may be cancelled only on the basis of the consensus," the "Contact.az" quotes Daniel Baer as stating.

Meanwhile, the US official has emphasized that the Azerbaijan's authorities should treat constructive criticism from NGOs and their international partners not as a threat, but as an opportunity for political solution of the problem.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.