On February 25, Vice Minister of Justice Mr.Vilayat Zahirov met with a delegation of the European Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in video format.
The event was attended by co-rapporteurs of the Congress on local and regional democracy, an expert on the European Charter of Local Self-Government, as well as officials of the Centre for Works with Municipalities of the Ministry of Justice and the Office of International Cooperation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of the recommendations of the Congress on the development of local self-government institute in Azerbaijan, as well as perspectives for cooperation in this area.
The Vice Minister informed about the measures taken under the leadership of the President Mr.Ilham Aliyev to develop the municipal institution, improve the legislation in this area, expand their powers, increase transparency, the application of modern ICT and e-services.
They also noted the work done by the Ministry of Justice to provide methodological assistance to municipalities, training and education of municipal members and employees, and works made in the field of administrative control. The important role of municipal associations in coordinating the activities of municipalities and ensuring their organization was discussed, and effective cooperation with the Congress was noted.
Congress co-rapporteur on regional democracy, member of the National Assembly of the United Kingdom Stuart Dixon noted that the structure represented by him attaches great importance to relations with Azerbaijan in the field of local democracy, noted the measures taken to develop the institution of the municipality and projects with international organizations. He welcomed the activities of the Ministry of Justice in this area and said he was ready to continue cooperation.
The video conference highlighted the impossibility of establishing a municipal institution in those territories during the 30 years of Armenian occupation of 20 percent of our lands and that former IDPs were deprived of their rights to local self-government for long years. It was noted that the country won the war in response to Armenia's military provocations last year and ended the occupation, there was noted the current situation in our liberated territories, the destruction of all infrastructure, and that the current meeting coincided with the 29th anniversary of the genocide committed by Armenia in Khojaly on February 26.
There was provided a useful exchange of views at the event and the questions were answered in detail.
Information of the Press Service of the Ministry of Justice
