This Press release is jointly prepared by Committee on EITI, extractive industry (oil and gas) companies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Coalition for Increasing Transparency in the Extractive Industries of Azerbaijan.

A meeting of EITI stakeholders - National Committee on EITI, local and foreign extractive industry companies, and Coalition of Non-governmental organizations was held on August 26, 2009.

NGOs Coalition's Opinion on 10^th EITI report (Jan-Dec 2008 assertion) audited by Deloitte and Touche, the independent Aggregator was discussed at the meeting.

Audit Company gave additional information about the issues raised in NGOs Coalition's Opinion and answered questions.

As the result of discussions several improvements and recommendations for the next EITI reports were agreed among stakeholders.

The document on Formalization of Multi-Stakeholder Group for EITI Implementation in Azerbaijan was discussed at the meeting and the general agreement with some exceptions was reached. It is expected that the document will be signed after final consultations with relevant constituencies.

Report of the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan (host government) about aggregated receipts from the extractive industries Reporting period January- December 2008 (annual) The Committee on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan ( Independent Accountants Repor t) For the 12 months ended 31 December 2008