Having brought to the notice of the guest that upon independence our country has been assigning high priority to the relations with the USA, Ramil Usubov remembered special merits of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and his official visit to this country in summer of 1997 aimed at establishment of relations based on trust and mutual respect between two states which was considered the peak of the bilateral relations.

The Minister emphasized successful pursuing the course of integration of Azerbaijan in the world and turning the country into a leading state of the region established by the National Leader by incumbent President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and current development of the relations with the United States in every field.

Then Minister touched on the problems our country encountered during the first years of independence, as well as on the occupation of our territories in the result of military aggression of Armenia and menace of civil war that set in our republic at that time as well as on the extensive socio-economic and legal and democratic reforms carried out in all spheres of public life after the return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to supreme power on the insistence of the Azerbaijani people.

 

The Minister called attention of the guest to improvement of the internal affairs bodies activity in compliance with international norms and standards, creation of a new regulatory and legal framework with human rights and freedoms taking center stage, active involvement of foreign experts in this work and efforts made in other spheres.

It was also mentioned that major efforts were made under the leadership of the Head of State Mr. Ilham Aliyev for the purpose of control over the criminal situation, protection of security of citizens and foreign investors and creation of favorable conditions for them.  

Having emphasized further strengthening of strategic partnership relations with the USA after the 09/11/2011 events, the Minister noted that our country, which joined to the antiantiterrorist coalition, has been contributing to the joint struggle against the global problem of terrorism, and stressed the importance of integrating efforts in the global community for effective combating other grave kinds of transnational organized crime.

The Minister noted that Azerbaijan became one of the safe countries where stability and public order are maintained at the highest level, and based on positive results obtained in combating crime the republic achieved a leading position among the countries of CIS and Eastern Europe. He also mentioned that major efforts are made to protect human rights and provide civil contentment. It was noted that all facts of cruel treatment, groundless bringing to police, arrest and criminal prosecution, carrying out of illegal search, various infringement of rights of the process participants, etc. are investigated thoroughly by a special division, and all employees who committed such offences are punished with severity.

For example, over the last five years, administrative action was brought against 1514 employees, and 108 of them were dismissed from their posts, 95 were dismissed from service in the internal affairs bodies, 8 employees were downgraded, 11 were brought to trial and in respect of the rest other sanctions were imposed.

Ambassador Robert Cekuta expressed profound gratitude for hearty welcome and detailed information, mentioned that the United States highly appreciates measures taken in our country for combating crime including trafficking in human beings and noted that he would exert every effort for further extension of the bilateral cooperation between our countries including relations between the US Embassy and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The parties also discussed a number of other issues during the meeting in a sincere and businesslike atmosphere.