Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. I.Khalilova / Heydar Babayev, the Economic Development Minister of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the State Commission, stated on 14 June that negotiations with some member-countries of the World Commerce Organization (WCO) to join the Organization might be delayed.
Presently, Azerbaijan is preparing for bilateral negotiations on commerce and services with the United States, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Taiwan.
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"There is a political decision to accelerate the process to join the WCO. Modernizing the national legislation in compliance with WCO orders in the short term depends on the Government. I believe that the approximation process will be concluded by the end of 2007," the Minister said.
Babayev expressed his relationship to possible negotiations with Armenia, which is already a member of the WCO.
"Being a member of the WCO, Armenia took the responsibility not to hinder Azerbaijan in its joining the organization. There is no necessity to sign any agreement, as we are not ready to sign any agreements with Armenia," Babayev added.
Presently, Azerbaijan concluded bilateral negotiations with Turkey, Georgia, Moldova, and Oman.