The Council of Europe expressed concern about some of the proposed changes to the legislation regulating non-governmental organizations and media in Azerbaijan, Samuel Žbogar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia and Chairman in Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Luís Maria de Puig, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe have stated in their joint statement issued on Tuesday, sources at the Council of Europe told APA.

Amendments may create serious obstacles for the freedom of expression and normal functioning of the civil society in Azerbaijan, they said. “They may even lead to closing of the Council of Europe School of Political Studies in Baku”. The Council of Europe expressed its willingness to provide assistance in order to ensure that any changes will be in line with the Council of Europe standards on democracy and human rights.