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Norwegian MP Lise Christoffersen, a PACE co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan, said that the Committee of Ministers is holding talks on Azerbaijan's return to the PACE.

"We want to see Azerbaijan in the Assembly, but for this the Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions and fulfil a number of requirements," Christoffersen told Turan.

Asked about the concessions, Сristoffersen said that "the Azerbaijani authorities must co-operate with the Assembly and create conditions for the co-rapporteurs to work in the country without hindrance, including prison visits. Azerbaijan must also fulfil its human rights obligations.

When the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee were in Azerbaijan from 3-7 June last year, they were not allowed to visit political prisoners.

Lise Cristoffersen pointed out that although the Azerbaijani justice minister promised that they would be given such an opportunity during their next visit, they were not allowed there again on 20-21 November last year.

The PACE refused to ratify the credentials of its Azerbaijani members in a resolution adopted on January 24, saying that Baku had failed to fulfill “major commitments” to the Council of Europe and had a poor human rights record.