OSCE Office in Baku outlines activities for 2007

BAKU, 15 March 2007 - Ambassador Jose-Luis Herrero, the Head of the OSCE Office Baku, said today the Office planned to further deepen and expand in 2007 co-operation with Azerbaijan.

Speaking at a news conference, Ambassador Herrero said the OSCE Office was ready to support the host country in moving towards an advanced stage of development. This would include sustainable economic progress across all sectors of society, a productive market economy and the consolidation of a stable and independent political regime based on democratic principles and the rule of law.

"We plan to further deepen and expand co-operation with Azerbaijan in all dimensions of security, with a specific focus on building and consolidating the legal, economic, political and social structures and mechanisms which would allow Azerbaijan to benefit from the oil revenues in the years to come in a manner consistent with OSCE principles," said Ambassador Jose Luis Herrero.

He underlined a number of activities for 2007, including support to public institutions, such as the civil service, the police and the judiciary, as well as to civil society and the media.

"The Office will also emphasize the importance of democratic principles, transparency of government, respect for the rule of law, human rights, independence of judiciary and media and gender equality," he added.

Training will also feature strongly in all aspects of the Office's work during the year.

The OSCE Office in Baku was opened in 2000. With a budget of approximately 2.4 million Euros for the year 2007, the Office is currently staffed by six international members and 14 local staff.