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United States criticized the mission of the Council of Europe for giving positive assessment of the presidential elections in Azerbaijan.
Criticism was voiced in a statement of the current head of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Christopher Maduro addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland, the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" writes.

"Observation Mission of the OSCE/ODIHR revealed serious problems at all stages of the electoral process, including the voting day. There was a restriction on freedom of speech, assembly and association. However, we were surprised that the PACE mission stated that the elections were free and transparent," the letter read.

Next Christophe Madura refers to the statement of Marie Harf the representative of State Department, who supported the ODIHR estimates on October 10. Madura also notes that the United States has recently entered the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe as a full member, and that they are looking forward to actively cooperate in the promotion of human rights and democratic governance with the help of this important institution.

"The United States believes that the OSCE and the Council of Europe play an important role in the process of strengthening the respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law," is stated in the conclusion of the letter.

Agency reminds that presidential candidate from opposition Jamil Hasanli had accused Azerbaijani authorities of bribing members of the PACE mission. According to him, the talks with the members of the mission were carried out in Strasbourg hotel Hilton. The Council of Europe did not react to these charges.

On October 9 presidential election were held in Azerbaijan during which incumbent President Ilham Aliyev received 84.54% of votes.
Jamil Hasanli, a single candidate from the opposition National Council of Democratic Forces, was on the second place. He scored 5.53% of the vote.

The joint statement of the ODIHR / OSCE observation mission and the Parliamentary Assembly, noted that the presidential elections were held in Azerbaijan in terms of restriction of freedom of speech and assembly. In its turn, the Minister for European Affairs David Lidington stated that the British Foreign Ministry shares the OSCE / ODIHR’s opinion that the presidential elections held in Azerbaijan failed to meet the commitments with OSCE. Opinion of the OSCE and the United Kingdom are also divided the U.S. Department of State.