Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend S.Agayeva / Anna Derse, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, stated that the United States welcomes the steps taken by the Azerbaijani Government in its fight against corruption and is ready to provide any assistance to achieve effective results. She was addressing a regional meeting of the Transparency International on Europe and Central Asia in Baku on 31 May.
The organization of such an important meeting in Baku demonstrates that the Azerbaijani authorities have an excess of work in this area.
The diplomat stressed that in accordance with the report by the Transparency International, in 2006 Azerbaijan occupied 130th place amongst 163 world countries in the level of corruption. However Azerbaijan was 99th amongst 175 countries in a business report compiled by the World Bank. It clearly indicates that Azerbaijan should carry out serious and urgent measures in this direction, the diplomat emphasized.
Derse also drew attention to steps to be taken, particularly the adoption of the law to fight against money laundering and the establishment of institutes regarding their implementation. Furthermore, it is necessary to publicize an income declaration by state officers. The Government should ensure transparency and solidity in management over state funds, Derse stressed.