Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend I.Alizazde / The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutes and Human Rights gave their recommendations for the conduct of 2008 Presidential elections in Azerbaijan in accordance with international standards. The US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Anne Derse, briefed the media on 1 October in Baku that the Government of Azerbaijan should take steps to implement these recommendations.
"The USA supports the decision of the Parliament and Government of Azerbaijan to take joint steps in creating favorable conditions to conduct free and fair elections in 2008," the Ambassador said.
The diplomat said that the US Government believes that the upcoming presidential elections will provide new opportunities for Azerbaijan to hold free and fair elections.
"Becoming a democratic, independent and developed country is important not only for the USA as a partner of Azerbaijan, but also for Azerbaijan itself," Derse said.
The Presidential elections will take place in Azerbaijan in 2008. Talks are continuing between the Government of Azerbaijan, the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutes and Human Rights with regards to the improvement of election legislation.