Azerbaijan, UK seek to boost co-op in civil society development
By Aynur Jafarova
Azerbaijan proposed to hold reciprocal study visits between representatives of Azerbaijani and British civil societies.
This was announced at the meeting of Chairman of the Council on State Support to NGOs under the auspices of Azerbaijani president, MP Azay Guliyev with UK's Ambassador to Baku Irfan Siddiq, the council told Trend Agency on April 14.
Guliyev informed the diplomat about the council's activities and stressed that more than 2,500 NGOs have been financed during the council's activity.
He added that the council is not only a donor for the NGOs, but it also provides methodical, organizational and technical assistance.
He also presented information on cooperation with the members of civil society of the UK and stressed that the UK is an important partner of Azerbaijan.
He noted that the Law on Voluntary Activity and the Law on Public Participation have been adopted in Azerbaijan at the council's initiative. These laws serve as a legal framework for formation of civil society.
Guliyev stressed that the UK has extensive experience in civil society building and Azerbaijani NGOs should benefit from this experience.
Siddiq, in turn, praised the council's work and stressed that the mutual study visits of members of civil society of both countries will be useful.
Afterwards the parties agreed to continue holding further meetings.