Ali Hasanov: 'Building civil society is one of main priorities of Azerbaijan’s policy' - UPDATE - PHOTOS

Proposals made by the representatives of NGOs on most issues were constructive, and most of the raised issues fully coincide with the government's policy, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Head Ali Hasanov told reporters on Monday.

"Proposals put forward by them at the same time comply with the desire of the government. Building civil society is the basis of Azerbaijan's policy. Along with state and government bodies NGOs must deal with individual issues of Azerbaijani society's life. NGO activity is based on civil initiatives, this activity aims to protect human rights, so we support them. Ongoing dialogue will continue. We agreed on the fact that meetings and dialogues with representatives of NGOs would continue, and that a separate meeting with the NGOs working in specific areas would be held," he said.

According to Hasanov, members of 34 NGOs spoke at a meeting held with NGOs, and more than 80 proposals were made.

"We will summarize and group these proposals, then they will be discussed with the Council of State Support to NGOs and distributed to the respective areas," he said.

Hasanov said proposals included questions about the legislative initiative, the issues related to social activities, organizational issues, issues related to grants, proposals for the evaluation of NGO activities, the regulation of relations between NGOs and the state.

"The event was attended by 100 representatives of NGOs. Very efficient talks were held, all the issues of the Azerbaijani society were touched upon. We also touched on issues of ensuring by non-governmental bodies of transparency in the society, the role of NGOs in support of domestic and foreign policy, to create opportunities by the authorities in this area, issues on the formation, registration and promotion of the activities of NGOs and others," he said.

The question about the mechanism of distribution of grants was also raised at the meeting, Hasanov added.

"There were complaints that the grants are available primarily in the light of close relations and other factors. Authorities do not participate in the distribution of grants. I asked the Council of State Support to NGOs that they have met and discussed this issue with the participation of these organizations. We will support the decision which they will come to," Hasanov said.


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13:15

Building civil society in Azerbaijan is one of the main priorities of the country's policy, Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Social and Political Department Head Ali Hasanov said.

He made the remarks at a 'Dialogue on strengthening civil society between NGO and government' meeting organized by the Council of State Support to NGOs under the Azerbaijani President today.

"We do not imagine Azerbaijan's economic achievements and dynamic development without political reforms, a civil society, and active participation of citizens in the internal political processes," Hasanov noted.

The non-governmental organizations (NGO) are the institutions implementing active citizens' various initiative, Hasanov said. "These are also the institutions defining the social behavior norms."

"So, as a state, Azerbaijan regards NGOs as its partners," he added. "NGOs are engaged in different spheres of political, social and cultural life, as well as make the priority of state policy."

The meeting organized today takes place in the clear and honest terms, Hasanov noted. "Azerbaijan is ready to openly and transparently discuss all issues in this area having importance for the country's public life, social sphere, as well as the issues relevant to the NGOs' activity.

"I do not consider this meeting as formal," he said. "The proposals put forward by NGOs will be taken into account and analyzed. They will outline a strategy of further relations between institutions and a civil society in a generalized form".

"The problems that worry NGOs also worry the state, the president and the government," he said.

/Trend/