An international conference on “The state governed by the rule of law and constitutional justice: values and priorities” has started in Baku, marking the 20th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan.

Chairman of Azerbaijan`s Constitutional Court Farhad Abdullayev, Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Work with Law Enforcement Bodies and Military Issues, department head Fuad Alasgarov, First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov, President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Gianni Buquicchio, Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan Elmira Suleymanova and other government officials, as well as foreign guests attended the conference.

Prior to the event, the participants watched a short video highlighting the 20-years of activity of Azerbaijan’s Constitutional Court.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of Azerbaijan"s Constitutional Court Farhad Abdullayev praised the importance of the international conference, expressing his confidence that the participants will see effective discussions during the event. He highlighted the works done by the Constitutional Court and the achievements gained over the past 20 years.

Azerbaijani President`s Assistant for Work with Law Enforcement Bodies and Military Issues Fuad Alasgarov read out President Ilham Aliyev"s congratulatory letter to the conference participants.

First Vice-Speaker of Azerbaijan`s Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov stressed the importance of the establishment of the Constitutional Court in terms of building the legal and social state, as well as civil society.

President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe Gianni Buquicchio said he is pleased visiting Azerbaijan again and attending the conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan. He noted that the Venice Commission is actively collaborating with appropriate authorities of Azerbaijan.

Head of “Legal approximation towards European standards in the South Caucasus” Program of German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) Thomas Meyer said that the Constitutional Court"s decisions are somehow a manifestation of the Constitutional text.

Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan Elmira Suleymanova extended her congratulations to the conference participants, noting that 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the 20th anniversary of the Constitutional Court.

The conference continues its work with panel discussions.