BAKU OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE TO CEASE ITS ACTIVITIES

Baku office of the U.S. International Republican Institute (IRI) will cease its activities from November 30, Jake Jones, head of the Baku office, said at the meeting with Musavat party’s leader on November 3. Musavat press office reported that Gambar has regretted closure of the Baku IRI office. He said it is important to continue IRI activities in Azerbaijan to draw attention to problems of democracy and freedoms in Azerbaijan and contribute to development of bilateral relationships. The Baku IRI office was unavailable for comments. Unofficial sources say that the IRI office in Baku is closed, because of limited financing of programs in Azerbaijan by USAID. The office of another U.S. NGO - National Democratic Institute (NDI) - will continue its work in Azerbaijan. The both institutions have been implementing projects aimed at development of political and democratic institutions in Azerbaijan. IRI is close to the U.S. Republican party, while NDI is close to Democratic party.