CHAIRMAN OF STATE CUSTOMS COMMITTEE MEETS WITH ASSISTANT UN SECRETARY-GENERAL
Chairman of the State Customs Committee Aydin Aliyev met February 2 with the UN delegation led by Ms. Kori Udovicki, Assistant UN Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator of UNDP and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS.
A. Aliyev told of the economic development accomplishments, measures taken, saying that the economic reforms initiated by national leader Heydar Aliyev are now being successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.
Chairman pointed out that customs policy plays an important role in carrying out economic reforms with the customs bodies taking an active part in forming the budget revenues, fighting smuggling and speeding up the foreign trade. The customs based on international standards and practices depend on improvement of the legislation and application of information technologies in the customs control. The State Customs Committee has cooperated for eight years with the UNDP Baku office.
A. Aliyev said that the Modernization of the Customs Service in Azerbaijan project, which has been implemented since January 2006 together with the UNDP and European Commission, helps to bring customs laws in line with international standards, in particular, EU Customs Code, and to improve the development strategy of information technologies. In this respect, the first stage of preparation of the draft Customs Code has been completed.
Ms. Kori Udovicki said she assumed the office of Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS in February 2007.
K. Udovichki noted she is satisfied with the cooperation with Azerbaijan in the customs sphere, and assured that UNDP will continue to assist Azerbaijan in improving the customs services. According to her, UNDP is ready to help Azerbaijan join the World Trade Organization.
UN resident coordinator in Azerbaijan Bruno Pouezat was present at the meeting.
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