She noted that the projects are aimed at encouraging freedoms of media and speech, countering bribery in administrative bodies, enhancing capabilities of the Academy of Justice, and training of judges.
“The general development of a country is hampered when civic society is underdeveloped. We have implemented the projects in accordance with countries’ needs,” she added.
Addressing the event, Malena Mard, head of the EU Delegation in Baku, underlined the ambitious cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan in all spheres.
According to her, the EU has been operating in Azerbaijan for 25 years and the total of cost of the projects implemented in the country is 4.6 million euros.
“We are ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan on an equal footing. We are planning some projects and the two sides are ambitious about it,” she added.
Later on, Vassilis Maragos, Head of Unit, Regional Programmes Neighbourhood East, made a speech at the event, noting that Azerbaijan and the EU intend to launch a new format of cooperation.
He expressed hope that a mandate to negotiate in relation to this issue will be given soon.
“We hope that the projects carried out in Azerbaijan will produce concrete results. We expect them to be successful,” he added.
In his speech, Agil Gunashov, national coordinator of the Programmatic Co-operation Framework, said the program covers important spheres of the country.
Arkadi Sytine, Coordinator for the Council of Europe of the Programmatic Co-operation Framework, gave information about the program.
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