HL Deb 16 December 2003 vol 655 c119WA
Lord Alton

of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government: What discussions they have held with the Goverńments of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to encourage social and civil development. [HL26]

The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)

There have been discussions with the Governments of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). This aims to build a partnership between governments, commercial enterprises and civil society organisations with the aim of increasing transparency of revenues generated from extracted industries (oil, gas and mining). Both governments have indicated their support for the initiative and are currently considering how best to implement it.

Azerbaijan

The Secretary of State held discussions with President Ilham Aliev of Azerbaijan in October 2003. These included the implementation of EITI and the need to draw upon civil society groups.

Further discussions were held during the recent DfID mission to Azerbaijan (November 2003). Emphasis was placed on EITI providing the opportunity to build up civil society and the need for transparency.