Azeri Justice Minister meets EU Special Representative for South Caucasus and Georgian crisis

Baku, February 8 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s minister of justice Fikrat Mammadov has met the European Union`s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Philippe Lefort. The Minister hailed the Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. He highlighted the Azerbaijani government`s work to modernize the country`s justice system, in particular selection and training of judges. Mammadov said Azerbaijan`s judge selection system was described as a model one in a report of the European Commission for Justice Effectiveness of the Council of Europe. Lefort stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in fighting against organized crime and illegal drug haul. The Azeri Minister spoke of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts, saying: “Twenty per cent of Azerbaijan`s lands are under occupation. And these uncontrolled lands are today home to arms and illegal drug trafficking.” Lefort praised the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation within the European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership program. The EU Special representative also hailed Azerbaijan`s justice reforms, in particular modernization of penitentiary system. Head of the European Union Delegation to Azerbaijan Roland Kobia was present at the meeting.