EU HAILS RELEASE OF FIVE JOURNALISTS IN AZERBAIJAN.

The European Union has welcomed the release of five journalists in Azerbaijan. The prisoners were released on the occasion of Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis. In a statement issued on 8 January, the EU Presidency said that the presidential pardon is "a positive step towards Azerbaijan's fulfilment of international and European obligations with regard to freedom of the press". The Presidency appealed at the same time to Azeri authorities to release or grant pardon "at the earliest opportunity" to the three...