Azerbaijan, Baku, March 28 / Trend N.Ismayilova /
A WB mission headed by Klaus Decker is visiting Azerbaijan to review a
judicial system modernization project from March 28, the WB Baku
Office said.
The mission will be in Baku until April 2. The negotiations covering
the second judicial system modernization project in Azerbaijan will be
discussed within the visit. The WB will provide additional funding.
According to the WB, the funding is expected to reach $30-32 million.
"The project's second phase will be prepared by late April," the
office said. "It will be approved by the WB Board of Directors by late
July this year."
The total cost of the first project is 35.6 million. WB loans account
for $21.6 million. The Japan Special Fund awarded a grant worth $3
million, while the share of the Azerbaijani government has provided
$11 million. The project is designed for five years.
The project technically equipped the buildings of the Supreme Court,
the Constitutional Court, the Justice Ministry, and the Judicial and
Legal Council.
The WB's share in the project was allocated by the International
Development Association (IDA). The IDA conditions are standard- a
35-year term with a 10-year beneficial period and 0.75 percent annual
rate.
Upon the expiration of the 10-year grace period, there would begin loan payments on 1.25 percent and from 2026 to 2041 years - 2.5 percent.
The WB Board of Directors approved the judicial system modernization project in Azerbaijan on June 29 2006.
The project consists of four components:
- Strengthening the management potential of legal institutions by creating a computerized management system, information network and training;
- Increasing the potential of the court - the construction and repair of court buildings, using of modern technology and computerization in the management system;
- Strengthening the professionalism of judges through training;
- Pilot civic awareness programs, improving citizens' access to information about registration and notary.