Council Of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Notes Progress On Chechnya Human Rights Record

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, has noted progress in Russia's human rights record in Chechnya in opening remarks to talks with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. Russia's diplomacy chief reciprocated by stressing that Moscow appreciates the Commissioner and his colleagues' efforts. "We are willing to further cooperate with the Council of Europe Commissioner in the framework of the efforts undertaken by the Russian leadership for political settlement in Chechnya," Ivanov said. He also offered to consider "the proposals that Gil-Robles would like to discuss in Moscow." Gil-Robles is to meet today with the Russian President's envoy for human rights in Chechnya, Vladimir Kalamanov.