18/03/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Sunday, 17 March, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service described the pardon of 431 people, including representatives of political parties, NGOs, bloggers and journalists, by the Azerbaijani President on the occasion of the New Year's celebration as a “welcome step”. “The European Union hopes expects that further similar steps will follow in future line with Azerbaijan's international commitments”, she warned, adding that the EU would continue its engagement with Baku to “step up the cooperation, including on human rights, which constitutes an essential element of [our] relationship”. Of the 431 persons pardoned, 399 will be released from prison, including 14 foreigners. The others will have their conditional sentences lifted, their fines cancelled or their life sentences reduced to 25 years. (CG)