On September 11, together with his counterpart from Austria, Azerbaijan’s Minister of foreign affairs Elmar Mammadyarov held a press conference. According to Meydan TV’s local reporters, the press conference was open only to pro-government media journalists. They attacked the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs with questions on Austria’s own human rights record and the double standards applied to Azerbaijan.
Mr. Mammadyarov, told journalists that during the meeting the two Ministers discussed political and economic ties between the two countries. Minister Mammadyarov raised his concern on recently made statements in support of separatist forces made by parliament members, journalists and officials of some countries despite their recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
“It is unfortunate”, said Azerbaijan’s Minister, “that double standards are applied when it comes to Azerbaijan, which affects the just resolution of the Karabakh conflict”.
According to Radio Liberty Azerbaijan service, during his meetings with President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Kurtz also spoke of the human rights situation in the country. “We had a much bigger discussion with the minister of foreign affairs however”, said Kurtz. “I presented him with the recent report on political prisoners. Our discussion on human rights situation was very tense”.
