The 9 December sitting of the Milli Majlis continued discussions on the Draft “On expenses of Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic for 2004”.

Discussed were the issues of extra payment to salaries of the MPs with scholar degrees, as in the higher educational institutions, of increasing business trip expenses, on repairs of the second building for deputies. The MPs also demanded reference on release from the position of the head of the Parliament Administration.

Chairing was the First Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis Arif Rahimzade, who noted that head of the Parliament Administration was fired from his post for serious violation of laws and financial machinations. As to extra payment to salaries of the MPs with scholar degree, this question can be solved, he stressed. For this, it is necessary to amend the Law “On status of the deputy of Azerbaijan Republic”.

Budget of the Milli Majlis for 2004, was approved at amount 10 billion 790 million 17 thousand manat. Of which, 8 billion 516 million 668 thousand manat were earmarked for salary, while 3 billion 69 million 600 thousand of this amount will go for salary of the Members of Parliament.

Then, discussed was the Draft agreement “On junction point of the division line of borders at the seabed of the Caspian among Azerbaijan Republic, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation”.

As stated, the document signed on 14 May 2003 in the city of Almaty has been applied and is the main tool for solving problems among the three Caspian states.

After approval of the agreement, discussed was the draft Protocol “On provision of security of the East-West energy corridor among the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Republic of Turkey”. The Protocol was approved.

Also were discussed a number of other agreements and international Conventions Azerbaijan joined in 2004.