Europe and US welcome decree on pardoning in Azerbaijan

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, welcomed the pardon decree signed by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

"The President of Azerbaijan has pardoned 148 people, including representatives of political parties, NGOs and journalists, to mark the Nowruz holiday," the statement of the EU High Representative says.

Washington welcomes the positive step by the Government of Azerbaijan to release a large number of prisoners, the statement of US Secretary of State John Kerry, posted on the website of US State Department, says.

"We look forward to working with Azerbaijan on additional positive steps," the statement also says.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva and the Chairperson of the OSCE PA Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Isabel Santos, also welcomed the release of 148 people in Azerbaijan, following a pardon decree issued by President Ilham Aliyev.

"I welcome this decision by President Ilham Aliyev. We will continue to encourage Azerbaijan to fulfill its OSCE commitments and I look forward to future constructive dialogue and progress," Trend cited the PACE head as saying.

Recall, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree pardoning 148 people. Under the decree, 137 people, sentenced to imprisonment, have been freed from serving the remainder of the prison terms.