Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 13
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
Azerbaijani authorities have always been ready for dialogue, and have acted in this spirit, the Head of the Public and Political Issues Department of Azerbaijan's Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov said Dec. 13.
He made the remarks at a meeting with a group of opposition party heads.
"Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated that we imagine Azerbaijan successful not only thanks to economic development, but there should also be sustainable political reforms in the country, the public administration system should be constantly improved," Hasanov said.
He went on to add that the modernization process covers not only the socio-economic sphere, but also the systematic implementation of political reforms, which justified themselves in the world.
"We believe that the development of Azerbaijani society and improvement of the internal governance system are impossible without freedom of expression and information, participation of civil society institutions, and without opponent activities of political parties," he said.
Hasanov further noted that therefore the meeting of representatives of the Azerbaijani government with the media, NGOs and political parties are permanent in nature.
He said today's meeting was held on the initiative of a group of opposition parties.
"Discussions will be held during the meeting on the issues of interest to the parties, we will listen to their opinions and summarize them, and I, as a representative of the Azerbaijani authorities, will convey them to corresponding structures, the Presidential Administration and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev," Hasanov said.
He also noted that the government, which works in cooperation with political parties and civil society institutions, is strong.
"Therefore, we as representatives of the Azerbaijani authorities have always been and will be open to constructive dialogue with political opponents," Hasanov added.
Afterwards the meeting continued behind closed doors.
