Norwegian, Azerbaijani justice ministers discuss legal cooperation

Justice Minister of Azerbaijan, chairman of the Judicial and Legal Council Fikret Mammadov met with visiting Norwegian Minister of Justice and the Police Knut Storberget to discuss the ways for expanding cooperation in the legal field on Feb. 8.

Mammadov touched on the development of cooperative and friendly relations between the two countries.

He said the conference on domestic violence attended by European Justice Ministers was very well organized in Norway in June 2009.

Speaking about President Ilham Aliyev-led judicial reforms in the country, the Minister stressed the importance of cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations including Norwegian lawyers.

Norwegian minister hailed the progress achieved in Azerbaijan in the judicial and justice systems including the penitentiary one. He stressed the importance of tackling high density in pre-trial detention facilities and imposing alternative pretrial "restrictions" instead of confinement.

The sides also discussed global fight against domestic violence, organization of joint events, human rights protection and other issues.

The Norwegian delegation saw the Heydar Aliyev and History of Justice museums as well as the exposition dealing with Azerbaijan-Norway relations.

Ambassador of Norway to Azerbaijan was present at the meeting.
Later the same day, Sorberget visited a new Baku pre-trial detention center built to the highest standards.

/AzerTac/