PACE hails Azerbaijan’s fight against corruption
By Sara Rajabova
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) appraises the fight against corruption in Azerbaijan.
PACE President Anne Brasseur, who is on visit to Baku, made the remark at a meeting with Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Zakir Garalov on September 22, Prosecutor General's Office said.
Garalov noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with PACE, and provided detailed information about the legislation on the improvement of the judicial and legal system of the country, the establishment of the regulatory framework of prosecutor's office and the implementation of measures to combat corruption.
He said the study and application of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights is a priority duty prosecution authorities, stressing that the works are underway on the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, the protection of human rights, including the execution of the national plan of action for the protection of human rights in Azerbaijan.
Expressing satisfaction with the close cooperation and the development of relations between Azerbaijan and PACE, Brasseur praised reforms in the judicial system, especially the work in the fight against corruption.
The sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
On the same, Azerbaijan's Justice Minister Fikrat Mammadov met the visiting PACE President.
Mammadov noted the close cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe in all directions, including in the field of law and spoke about the ongoing reforms on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the country.
He stressed that during the presidency of Azerbaijan in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, these principles are a priority to the country.
The sides also exchanged views on the implementation of the joint Action Plan for 2014-2016 years, which coincided with the period of Azerbaijan's chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the implementation of new projects and clarified the other issues of interest.
Brasseur has also already met with representatives of civil society during her visit to Azerbaijan.
She plans to meet with representatives of the parties represented in the Azerbaijani Parliament on September 23.