"The Council of Europe does not intend to pose as intermediary in the Chechen conflict. The conflict in Chechnya must be settled by Russian authorities," stated Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis in a telephone interview with RIA Novosti on the eve of his visit to Moscow scheduled for February 13.
The Secretary General renounces "separatism in any form" and stands for territorial integrity of Russia.
Speaking about the position of the Council of Europe on the Chechen conflict, Mr. Davis announced that the European lawmakers did not intend to teach Russia and just wanted to provide possible assistance. He said that the Council of Europe might help create a normal atmosphere for the settlement of the conflict.
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe stressed the idea of a "round table" on the situation in Chechnya to be conducted in Moscow in March 2005. The participants will include both Russian representatives and European parliamentarians. Mr. Davis also emphasized the importance of the observance of human rights during the settlement of the Chechen conflict.
Terry Davis arrives in Moscow on Sunday.
In the Russian capital he plans to meet with the Russian President's aide Sergei Yastrzhembsky, Justice Minister Yuri Chaika, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and also with Human Rights Commissioner Vladimir Lukin.
In addition, Mr. Davis plans to meet with head of the Russian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Konstantin Kosachev.
"I plan to discuss the preparation for the upcoming summit of the Council of Europe scheduled for May 16-17, the problem of terrorism, an important issue both for our organization and for Russia, and also human rights issues," Mr. Davis stated referring to theagenda of his talks in Moscow.
According to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, he would also like to discuss issues of cultural cooperation.
Mr. Davis will stay in Moscow till February 15.
