Baku, July 3 (AZERTAC). Directorate General the Council of Europe Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law Philippe Boillat has praised what the Azerbaijani government is doing to combat corruption.

“The Council of Europe appreciates Azerbaijan’s political will in the struggle against corruption,” he told Azerbaijani justice minister Fikrat Mammadov as they met on the sidelines of “Fight against corruption: international standards and national experiences” international conference in Baku.

Mr. Boillat referred to President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks at the recent PACE session in Strasbourg, quoting him as saying that “the government of Azerbaijan has put a lot of efforts to combat this social evil”.

He stressed the role of justice and law-enforcement bodies in the fight against corruption.

Mr. Boillat hailed Azerbaijan’s measures to enhance transparency, the adoption of the public participation law, development of the civil society and the application of e-services.

He also praised what the government had done to modernize detention facilities and improve medical services for prisoners in the country.

“The Council of Europe attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan,’ Mr. Boillat added.

Minister Mammadov, who is also vice-president of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, said Azerbaijan was successfully cooperating with the Council of Europe. He highlighted recent reforms aimed at modernizing the country`s justice and legal system.

The minister said the development of the penitentiary system, modernization of infrastructure and improvement of medical services for prisoners were important factors in the expansion of the fight against corruption.

He hailed Mr. Boillat`s contribution to the making of the Council of Europe`s action plan for Azerbaijan for 2014-2016.

On the sidelines of the conference the Azerbaijani justice minister also met Dean and Executive Secretary of International Anti-Corruption Academy Martin Kreutner, and they hailed the cooperation between the country and the academy.

Mr. Kreutner said the 3rd Session of the Assembly of the International Anti-Corruption Academy for member countries would be held in Baku this fall.