27/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Chechen President, Alu Alkhanov, is visiting the Council of Europe, his third visit since he became President of the Chechen Republic, ahead of the general elections in Chechnya on 27 November. The President of the Chechen electoral committee, Mr Baykhanov, said there were already 257 candidates, some of whom are former Chechen freedom activists but there would not be any restrictions. President Alkhanov said the door would always be open for people wanting to promote peace, and welcomed the implementation this year of the joint Council of Europe - Russian Federation Chechen programme. He said the good cooperation between Chechnya and the international community had made it possible to make progress in human rights, democracy and the rule of law. He added that the economic agenda would prevail in 2006.