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Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry blames U.S. for biased approach and attempts of political pressure

21 February 2014 11:43 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Victoria Dementyeva – APA. “Recent annexes and amendments to the law “On non-governmental organizations” developed according to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and European Convention on Human Rights, our commitments undertaken before the OSCE and Council of Europe have been put up for public discussion with the participation of representatives of NGOs, Azerbaijani Parliament, Ministry of Justice and international organizations,” Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Elman Abdullayev told APA.

Commenting on the critical statements uttered at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council held on February 20 by the U.S. Permanent Representative to the OSCE regarding recent annexes and amendments to the law “On non-governmental organizations” of Azerbaijan, Abdullayev said that these amendments are aimed at increasing transparency in the activities and funding of NGOs, eliminating corruption, strengthening the role of NGOs as institutions serving the development of civil society: “We urge NGOs to operate transparently and openly in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan avoiding corruption and illegal financing methods.”

Abdullayev said that as Azerbaijan is taking serious measures in this regard, strengthening legal framework of NGOs, increasing the transparency with recent annexes and amendments to the law, the statement made by the United States reflects biased approach and attempts of political pressure.

At the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on February 20, U.S. Ambassador to OSCE Daniel Baer criticized recent annexes and amendments to the law on NGOs.