The European Union and the Council of Europe presented new projects to support reforms in Azerbaijan

Baku/18.04.23/Turan: On April 18, the missions of the European Union and the Council of Europe in Baku presented joint projects for Azerbaijan within the third stage of the Partnership for Good Governance (PGG III) program for 2023-2027.

Within the framework of the program, four projects with a total budget of 2.5 million euros will be implemented in Azerbaijan with joint financing from the EU and the Council of Europe. They are based on the results of the previous stages of the program and are aimed at assisting the Azerbaijani authorities in further strengthening their institutional capacity to prevent and combat economic crime, supporting judicial reforms, in particular by encouraging mediation, as well as promoting gender equality and preventing the fight against domestic violence.

In addition, three projects aimed at combating economic crime, promoting equality and non-discrimination and facilitating women's access to justice will be implemented at the regional level. According to the head of the Baku Office of the Council of Europe, Petr Zikh, 80% of the funds will be allocated by the EU, and 20% by the Council of Europe.

"The projects implemented in Azerbaijan will cover such issues as good governance, the fight against corruption, discrimination against women and gender-based violence," Zikh said. In addition, according to him, Azerbaijan will take advantage of regional projects in these areas, which are also provided for Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia. A total of 21 projects will be implemented in 4 countries.

The head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Peter Michalko, stressed that these programs will serve to improve the legislation of the Eastern Partnership countries and bring them in line with European standards.

“New projects will contribute to improving the efficiency and quality of justice, promoting equality. Promoting good governance leads to stability and development," Mikhalko said.

Azerbaijan is among the beneficiaries of the program stage: "Partnership for Good Governance" since 2015, in turn, said the head of the Department of cooperation with international institutions in the field of human rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aysel Yagubova.

In her opinion, the implementation of this program is an example of successful cooperation between the EU and the Council of Europe.

"This initiative is aimed at strengthening and completing reforms in Azerbaijan," she said. Then the event was held without the participation of the press. In the past, similar events of European structures were held in the atmosphere of discussions with the participation of representatives of civil society of Azerbaijan. ---30B---