Prezident Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan received on June 17 Mr. Brian Fall, the UK Special Representative for the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan’s active involvement in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative was among issues discussed during the meeting. President Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan had taken serious steps for the implementation of the initiative, which was announced by Mr. Tony Blair, British Prime Minister.

Mr. Fall pointed out that Azerbaijan’s active involvement in EITI might serve as a good example for other countries that joined the initiative.

Azerbaijan joined the EITI in 2003 and already successfully finished the first reporting cycle following signing in November 2004 of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the National Committee on EITI, extractive industry (oil and gas) companies and non-governmental organizations. The second EITI reporting cycle is underway at present.