On June 4, Minister of Communications and Information technologies, academician Ali Abbasov held a news conference in the headquarters of “Yeni Azerbaijan” Party,.

As correspondent of AzerTAj reported, the Minister has told on structural and administrative reforms in department supervised by him. He has told: “Today the ministry determines a policy of the country in the field of telecommunication and information technologies and at the same time represents itself as a regulator, and also the manufacturer and the operator of services. Concentration of all these functions in one ministry already renders negative influence on the situation in the market, prevents our development. Therefore, during structural reforms we have undertaken execution of these three functions separately, independently from each other. The said way has justified itself and in the international practice, now in 130 countries from 189, being members of the International Telecommunication Association, there are the independent regulating bodies, which are carrying out independent activity. These bodies are occupied with carrying out of a policy of the state in the given direction. And in the telecommunication markets the preference is given to private sector. By the way, since 2001 all our enterprises are open by the corresponding Decree of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic for privatization, and the given process proceeds.

Speaking about process of privatization, the Minister also has reminded of arising problems. One of them is the control over the subsequent activity of the privatized enterprises. To tell the truth, the Ministry of taxes carries out the said control. However, the given system possessing high technology creates certain problems in this Ministry. The event in ABA and other companies is a proof to that. Therefore, now there is a work above the large project connected to settlement of the problem. According to the said project, automatic monitoring behind all telecommunication and information systems of Azerbaijan will be possible. It will serve registration and safety of the given systems. Besides, in the market of telecommunications the adjustable policy of liberalization, work in the direction of creation of the uniform structure, capable to play a regulating role among all operators is carried out. The purpose consists in creation in the given market of an atmosphere of fair competition and increase of activity. Azerbaijan is recognized as the oil country, shortly will turn into the state possessing economy with high information technologies.

The Minister also has told about expansion of post services, the policy of tariffs and licenses, the international communications of structure. Further, he informed, that on results of 2003 densities of the works executed in the field of communications and information technologies, in an internal total product makes 2,3 percent. In other words, in the branch it has been made production and rendered services for the sum of 1 trillion 270 billion manat.

The Minister has answered questions interesting journalists.