Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 6 / Trend /
The National Action Plan on Open Government and National Action Plan on Combating Corruption were adopted by decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on September 5, 2012.
Action Plans, covering the period of 2012-2015 aim to ensure the continuity of measures in the fight against corruption and promotion of good governance, increase transparency in the activities of state bodies, establish the activities of state bodies in compliance with modern standards, and promote the principles of open government, the Azerbaijani Commission on Combating Corruption reported in connection with approving the National Action Plan on Open Government and National Action Plan on Combating Corruption.
"Azerbaijan was among the first states, which joined the Open Government Partnership, initiated in international scale," the message said. "The goal of Open Government Partnership - launched as an international initiative, is to increase the transparency in public administration, ensure accountability, expand public participation and support application of new technologies. Action Plan on Open Government, guided by principles of Open Government Partnership defines measures for state bodies on delivering information on their activities to public, increasing the role of public in decision making, expanding electronic services and increasing the quality of services provided to citizens."
Drafts of both Action Plans were developed by Commission on Combating Corruption of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the assignment of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
"Decree of September 5, 2012, demonstrates continuous character of state policy in this area and once more expresses determination and strong will of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in continuation of fight against corruption," Chairman of the Commission Ramiz Mehdiyev said. "Implementation of these reforms will increase the reputation of state bodies, stimulate state-citizen relations to new level of quality and increase the trust of citizens to state."
In the course of drafting of Action Plans proposals and opinions of representatives of civil society, international organizations, who actively took part in public hearings, were taken into account along with representatives of state bodies.
It is planned to involve non-governmental organizations into the process of implementation and evaluation of Action Plans and to organize broad public awareness measures.