Azerbaijan, Baku, 18 January / Trend corr. S.Babayeva / The Azerbaijani State will request an additional assistant from the German Agricultural Ministry for preparation on joining World Trade Organization (WTO) within the framework of the International Green Week Berlin 2008. Ismat Abbasov, the Azerbaijani Agricultural Minister, will lead the Azerbaijani delegation.
"We are interested in cooperation with Germany, which may help the Ministry to develop the legal documents and train skilled staff to work in laboratories, which will issue accreditation on foodstuffs," the Ministry reported.
Azerbaijan received technical assistance from Germany to improve the sanitary and Phytosanitary control systems in Azerbaijan as part of the process of joining the WTO.
The German experts assessed the material-technical base and staff of veterinary and Phytosanitary laboratories. Azerbaijani Agricultural Ministry submitted the Program of Development for 2008-2010 to provide safe meat and vegetable products in Azerbaijan.
An Information Centre was established at the Ministry. The key function of the Centre is to submit to WTO all the necessary documents on sanitary, Phytosanitary and foodstuffs. The German Technical Assistant Association (GTZ) allocated €50,000 to implement the project. The funds were directed to pay for the services of experts and to draw them into the project.
The exhibition is significant for Azerbaijan as for the first time local companies will be taking part. According to the Ministry, 15 large companies including Caspian Fish Co. Azerbaijan, Gilan Holdinq, Azersun Holdinq, MKT IKF will take part at the exhibition.