US Ambassador visits Azerbaijani regions

As APA reports, the ambassador visited Nizami Ganjavi memorial mausoleum, Javad Khan sepulcher, Shah Abbas mosque and Imamzadeh complex. Following that, Ms.Derse met with Ganja city executive power Eldar Azizov.

After the meeting, the ambassador told journalists her visit to Ganja aims at getting acquainted with the city. Ms. Derse, senior officials of the executive power and head of the National Democratic Institute office in Azerbaijan Emmy Schultz attended the opening of the Ganja Regional Enlightenment and Development Center. The similar centers were first opened in Sumgayit and Sheki in March and August, last year.

The center in Ganja will provide free use of periodical and daily media outlets, publication and dispatching of news bulletins three times a week, free use of the center’s library containing juridical, socio-economic and political literature, free access to internet as well as organizing trainings and debates for solution of local problems.

After the opening ceremony, the US ambassador answered journalists' questions. She said Azerbaijan's future progress depends on the development of its regions underlining importance of developing non-oil sector at the same time.

"Azerbaijan will get big revenues from oil in future. These revenues will present extra opportunities for the development of the regions and non-oil sector in the country. As ambassador of the United States, I am responsible for strengthening relations between US and Azerbaijan. I'll also do utmost to strengthen the relations between the Azerbaijani and American peoples," the US Ambassador said.

She also said several issues concerning Azerbaijan's economic development are under consideration.

"We are negotiating with the Azerbaijani government regarding economic reforms. The goal is to achieve Azerbaijan’s developing to a country with potential of receiving world-scale investments. We want both local and foreign investors to invest in the fields, which will lead to opening of new jobs and development of Azerbaijan," Ms.Derse said.

The US Ambassador will also meet local entrepreneurs in Ganja as well as get acquainted with the activity of the Transparency-Azerbaijan Center to Combat Corruption.

Ms.Derse visited Mingachevir city yesterday. She met with the city authorities as well as attended the opening of the Resource Information Center functioning by financial support of the US Embassy. The Center at the central library of Mingachevir has been supplied with new computers, video resources and textbooks in English.