U.S. Supports Azerbaijan’s WTO Accession Process
USAID hosted a reception in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development and Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan to raise public awareness of the importance of World Trade Organization (WTO) accession and its effect on the economy of Azerbaijan in Baku, on May 30. U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Lu, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud MamedGuliyev, and senior government officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, Justice, Customs, and Agriculture, made opening addresses which stressed the importance of Azerbaijan’s WTO accession process.
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Middle left to right: Steve Morin, USAID Deputy Country Coordinator for Azerbaijan, Donald Lu, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission and Mahmud MamedGuliyev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, make opening discuss prospects for the WTO accession process
Photo Credit: ASSA IRADA News Agency |
Lu affirmed that the U.S. Government fully supports President Aliyev’s vision and Azerbaijan’s accession to the WTO. “USAID will allocate an additional $3.7 million for trade capacity-building assistance this year. WTO Membership will send a strong signal to foreign investors that Azerbaijan has achieved a stable and predictable business environment, which will attract investment and improve the competitiveness of Azerbaijani goods and services. The United States is committed to a continued close and collaborative partnership with all of you as we collectively work to accelerate Azerbaijan’s accession process,” he said.
The event provided an opportunity for discussion on the principles of accession; the accession process and required reforms; the effect of accession on Azerbaijan’s economy; experience of other countries in the accession process; current status of accession and remaining steps. Experienced WTO expert Farhat Farhat, President of the Economic Integration Forum, delivered a comprehensive presentation on accession.
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