Azerbaijan is a country that has achieved the dynamic and sustainable economic development, the country's president Ilham Aliyev said in his message to the participants of the international "Fighting corruption: international standards and national experience" conference in Baku today [June 30].

"A democratic and fair state has been established in Azerbaijan as a result of political, legal and social policy. A system of transparent public relations has been created in the country," said the president's message, which was read out by the head of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev.

The conference is being held as part of Azerbaijan's chairmanship in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe represented by the country's government, the Group of States against corruption (GRECO) and the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA).

"Ensuring efficiency in public administration, introducing the open government institutions, developing e-services, and fighting against corruption are the main directions of the state policy," the Azerbaijani president's message said.

"Azerbaijan has strong political will for successful fight against corruption," the president noted. "The legislative framework was fully modernized and institutional reforms were implemented after the country joined the international initiatives in the fight against corruption."

In his message to the conference participants, President Aliyev regretted that corruption remains one of the most pressing problems in the world, including European countries.

"New initiatives must be constantly made in this area," the president said. "The relations between the Council of Europe member states and Azerbaijan are being constantly developed and expanded in various fields. Azerbaijan has been chairing in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe since May 14. Our country declared the fight against corruption as a priority during its presidency. It also intends to thoroughly deal with the problems, which the member states are facing."

In his speech, President Aliyev expressed confidence that this conference which serves to expand the national and international efforts in the fight against corruption, will make a contribution to the coordinated joint activity and expanding of cooperation.

The president congratulated the participants of the conference and wished them success.