US to provide aid

The outcomes of the 3rd meeting of the US-Azerbaijani inter-governmental working group proved useful for both parties, the US Department of State coordinator for Newly Independent States William Tailor told a news conference at the US embassy Friday.

According to him, besides bilateral relations, the parties focused on Azerbaijan's admission to the WTO and combat against corruption on the government level. The Azerbaijan government has asked the US Justice Department to share experience in curbing corruption.

Mr. Tailor told journalists that the US had provided $34 million worth of assistance to Azerbaijan in 2000, while this year the volume will rise to $32 million, he said. The money will be spent on implementation of credit projects, which primarily concern small and medium enterprise development and education of Azeri students in the States.*