“We have always been able to find a negotiated solution. However, the situation with the ODIHR is very strange. For example, the ODIHR sent two experts to observe the elections in Germany and had planned to send 600 observers for the elections in Kyrgyzstan. The same applies to the elections in Belarus too. And with regard to the elections in Azerbaijan there was a scandal at all. The ODIHR expressed its will to send a disproportionate number of observers to Azerbaijan.
However, the Azerbaijani side stated that it would accept observes in a limited number. Similar situations arose in the past. This is nothing new. Thus, many countries said that they don’t need thousands of observers being engaged to seek deficiencies. It is not unusual. The Azerbaijani called for negotiations. And then for some reason, the ODIHR leadership took a completely incomprehensible decision to cancel the trip,” he said.
Kelin went on to add that the ODIHR standards are by no means gold, and they can be interpreted quite freely, whereas, the rules of observation must be accurate and clear for all countries.
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