Azerbaijan, Baku, 8 September/ Trend , corr J. Babayeva/ The officials of the United States have stated that the democratic processes in Azerbaijan are developing in a right direction.
"During my meeting with the US officials, though the opposite side was concerned and disagreed over some issues, the general opinion was that the processes in Azerbaijan are developing in a right direction and democratic institutions are quiet active," Ali Hasanov, head of Public and Political Department of Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan said to Trend .
Hasanov traveled to US at the invitation of National Democracy Institute. He held several meetings in Washington within the visit. He held discussions with the representatives of State Department, Congress, International Development Agency, National Democracy Institute, International Republicans Institute, National Democracy Fund and other governmental organizations. The discussions focused on the democratic reforms in Azerbaijan, situation of human rights, building civil society and upcoming presidential elections.
Hasanov said US closely observes events in Azerbaijan. "The positive trends of the processes in Azerbaijan are not out of the focus of attention of US," he said.
Hasanov said during his meeting with Matthew Bryza, US Secretary of State assistant on foreign affairs they discussed the processes in South Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, current international situation, introduction of international law, ethnic separatism and territorial integrity of countries
"During meetings we exchanged view on the activities of political parties and NGOs, government's adoption of NGO support conception, the establishment of a Council and introducing grants, signing of media support conception by president and steps with this regard, measures to develop media, the conditions provided for political parties, supplements and changes to the Election Code and freedom of assembly," Hasanov added.
Hasanov said he stated Azerbaijan's position on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during discussion. "I brought to their notice the issues that Azerbaijan disagrees with. The opposite side also tried to motivate their position. They said they support peaceful solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said.
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