Executive Director of the State Oil Fund, the Chairman of the National Committee on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)Mr. Samir Sharifov held briefing“Azerbaijan and EITI” on April 11, 2005 hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov for senior members of diplomatic corps (34 embassies and international organisations were presented) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his presentation Mr. Sharifov informed the briefing participants on history of Azerbaijan’s joining to EITI, developing credible implementation mechanism by the National Committee on EITI, signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Committee on EITI, foreign and local extractive industry (oil and gas) companies and the non-governmental organizations’ Coalition for Increasing Transparency in the Extractive Industries, and disclosure of the first EITI reports in the world by the Government of Azerbaijan. He also pointed out that the achievements of Azerbaijan’s EITI process were commended by heads of leading countries in the world. He concluded his presentation by announcing Azerbaijan’s readiness to share its expertise to help EITI implementation globally.