AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENCY AT THE COUNCIL OF OBSEC MINISTERS TO BE EXTENDED

Azerbaijan will be presiding at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation /OBSEC/.

Chief of the Department of Cooperation and Development of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Altay Efendiyev stated at the press conference held on Novermber 4, that this decision is grounded on the effective activity of Azerbaijan in this Organization. At the 9th sitting of OBSEC foreign ministers, Azerbaijan had to hand over its presidency to Greece or Georgia. However, Greece announced that it is going to preside at the OBSE, while Georgia claimed that it is not ready to take this office. During the debates, some countries proposed to hand the presidency to other countries. However, most representatives, taking into account accomplishments gained by Azerbaijan, decided to extend the term of Azerbaijan’s presidency for half a year. Thus, for the first time in the 11 years organization’s history the same country will preside at the Council of Ministers for the second time. In April 2004, Azerbaijan will hand over its presidency to Georgia.

The position of the OBSEC deputy secretary general remained opened. Although Azerbaijan, Russia and Romania nominated their candidates but no one could gain more than 2/3 of votes.