Sergei Markov: NGOs of Azerbaijan and Russia will organize joint monitoring of elections

Russia, Azerbaijan and other countries of the former Soviet Union have
experienced the "era of survival" and are now creating institutions
that have long existed before in the West, in particular NGOs, the

influence of which is growing. A member of the Public Chamber of
Russia, Deputy Director of the Inter-Commission Working Group on
International Cooperation and Public Diplomacy Sergei Markov, talked
about NGOs to Vestnik Kavkaza.

Sergei Markov said that at a recent meeting between the Russian Public
Chamber and the Council under the President of Azerbaijan on State
Support of NGOs, it has been agreed to host annual
Russian-Azerbaijani forums of non-governmental organizations and
create a community of NGOs of Russia and Azerbaijan.

Talking about migration between the countries, Markov said that conditions
for deeper integration of the diasporas need to be created. Free Russian-language courses will be organized for the Azerbaijani diaspora in
Russia.

The analyst also said that Azerbaijan and Russia have decided to
strengthen the role of youth in NGOs. Organization of
youth forums is planned. In addition, the Public Chamber of Russia and the
Council for the Support of NGOs in Azerbaijan have agreed to cooperate
in the field of social control over the elections in the two countries. Thus,
the Russian delegation will observe the presidential elections in
Azerbaijan in 2013.

In conclusion, Markov said that the idea of a trilateral meeting between
representatives of Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan was very much
welcomed at the meeting.