Azerbaijan and Council of Europe sign memorandum of mutual understanding on combating corruption.

The memorandum was signed by Ramiz Mekhtiyev, the chairman of the State Commission of Azerbaijan for combat with corruption and Jovanni Palmieri, the chief of the CE Department of Cooperation.

It should be noted that within the framework of the project, Azerbaijan will receive aide for execution of the recommendations of the group of states on combating corruption, functioning under CE (GREGO). The project will be financed by USAID.

The budget of the project, which is to be completed on September 30, 2009, makes up $800,000.

R.Mekhtiyev noted during the arrangement that corruption has always been a concern for all countries of the world and European countries are still combating it.

"With the spread of transnational organized crime, the situation with corruption is deteriorating and corruption, violating national borders, is threatening the entire world community. This, in turn, creates the need for all countries to join efforts in combating corruption", the head of the president's office said.

R.Mekhtiyev informed the arrangement participants about the work, carried out in Azerbaijan for combating corruption, and the state program, adopted in this sphere, and the cooperation between the government and NGOs on this issue.

The USAID Coordinator on Azerbaijan Scott Tailor noted that USA is a friend to Azerbaijan and is ready to cooperate with the government of Azerbaijan in the implementation of the strategy on combating corruption.

The chief of the CE Department of Cooperation Jovanni Palmieri noted, in turn, that the government of Azerbaijan will be fully reponsible for the implementation of the project.