Assa-Irada,
1, April 2008

An international conference focusing on exchange of experience in fighting corruption was held in Baku on Tuesday.

Minister of Justice and Vice-President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), Fikrat Mammadov, said cooperation in this area would open up new opportunities in combating corrupt practices.

"Without international cooperation in fighting corruption, it is impossible to achieve tangible progress in this area," Mammadov said.

He said substantial work has been done to fight corruption in Azerbaijan and the country has joined all respective international conventions.

"Azerbaijan joins all international events on anti-corruption combat. We have signed and ratified the United Nations convention on fighting corruption."

IAACA President Jia Chunwang said in his remarks that after holding meetings in Azerbaijan and familiarizing himself with the reforms under way in the country's justice system, he arrived at a conclusion that advances were observed in this respect. He welcomed Azerbaijan's membership at the Association, saying it would contribute to local law enforcement agencies' efforts in countering corruption.

Established in 2006, IAACA currently comprises about 140 countries. The group's key objectives are to ensure enforcement of the UN conventions on fighting corruption and to oversee member states' compliance with the commitments undertaken in accord with these documents.

The International Conference on exchange of best practices regarding the fight against corruption was attended by prosecutors from China, Britain, Indonesia, Ukraine and Uganda, the heads of Pakistani and Indian anti-corruption bodies, as well as experts from Japan, Argentine, Italy and Romania.