Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr I. Khalilova / Plans to improve sanitary and phytosanitary standards in Azerbaijan has been developed within the framework of technical assistance from the German Government, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Mammadguliyev, has reported.
"German experts have presented this very important document to us and we will submit it to the Agriculture Ministry. On its basis the government can develop a program to eliminate problems in sanitary and phytosanitary services," Mammadguliyev said.
There are approximately 24 phytosanitary and 70 veterinary regulations in Azerbaijan. Experts were expected to assess the regulations to be in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) standards.
The system functioning in Azerbaijan will be adapted in compliance with WTO's accords on sanitary and phytosanitary standards, agriculture and restrictions in trade within the framework of the technical assistance that has been provided since March 2007.
The technical assistance will enable the improvement of the Azerbaijani legislation, holding training and probation periods in the Federative Republic of Germany, and the development of guidelines on the introduction of WTO standards. Technical assistance of €50,000 will continue until the end of 2007. The grant agreement was concluded in January 2007 during the visit to Berlin of Azerbaijani Agriculture Minister, Ismat Abbasov.