`The focal point of the organization of the event is to exchange views on the settlements of the current problems and to submit relevant proposals to the government`, Aliahmed Nuriyev, platform coordinator noted calling the meeting participants to hold open discussions.
`The government is open to discuss the challenges that NGOs encounter and expects concrete proposals from the Platform. The following additions and amendments to the law regulating NGO activities in late 2014 and 2015 have led to problems in practice. The preparation of `road map ` is of great importance for achieving productive civil society activities. NGOs should constitute the base of this `road map``, Nuriyev said.
`All interest sides should initiate an action to improve the situation. Feraset Gurbanov and Sahib Mammadov, the members of the Council on State Support for NGOs under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan represent the government institutions in the meeting. The officials of 10 government institutions and MPs attend the platform. The format of the today`s meeting allows NGOs to share their views. Then the following meetings will encompass discussions by government institutions`, Nuiryev added.
The discussions covered the issues around various challenges faced by NGOs and suggestions for possible solutions considering changes in normative-legal basis. 27 representatives of NGOs shared their views on the very issues and others.
`The State Support Council to NGOs under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan holds regular discussions on the solutions with NGOs and state bodies and gives its suggestions. The council is ready to support initiatives on this direction. The establishment of Government-Civil Society Dialogue Platform on Open Government Initiative has created new opportunities`, Executive Director of Secretary, The Council on State Support to NGOs under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Feraset Gurbanov said commenting on the suggestions.
`The platform is open to professionals and specialized NGOs. Leading NGOs from various spectres have been represented in the platform. All the opinions have been considered and will be handed to the government on behalf of the Platform after the proper systematization. Besides, the creation of Working Group for discussion of these issues with state bodies will be discussed`, Nuriyev concluded.
E.Nuriyev presented the draft statement on the aim, activity and principles of the Government Dialogue Platform. Taking into consideration of the Platform members` proposals, the statement was adopted that proposed by the Government Dialogue Platform Civil Society for the Promotion of Open Government.
`The NGOs involving in the Platform state that public control should be strengthened on the implementation of the Open Government Partnership in Azerbaijan and takes it as profitable for effective and stable dialogue with the Government`, the statement reads.
`Within the framework of the Platform we will be able to succeed in the improvement of the legal environment on the activities of civil society organizations and the elimination of the practical challenges that encountered by those institutions. Besides, the Platform will give an opportunity to increase transparency and accountability in activities of state agencies, as well as to strengthen public control mechanisms and public attendance in governance. `
We hope for the close participation of the international organizations and diplomatic missions operating in Azerbaijan.
We reiterate, the membership to the Platform is open and its operation is based on the democratic principles. The Platform is ready to make co-operation with any local and international organizations having similar aims.
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