During his official visit to Ganja, Azerbaijan the U.S. Ambassador Richard Morningstar expressed his concerns over the Azerbaijani government’s recent refusal to renew cooperation with Peace Corps, reported APA.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Morningstar mentioned his meeting with the Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov: “The minister clearly said that this step is not aimed at restricting the activity of the Peace Corps. Simply, the ministry intends to review its rules. The minister wants to be sure that the volunteers coming to the country will act in the direction. He assured us that the Peace Corps volunteers, who are currently in the country, will be able to stay in the country until the end of their mission. I believe that we would reach an agreement after the Ministry of Education reviews its rules. This will allow the new group of volunteers to arrive in Azerbaijan. Time will tell.”
Earlier this month TURAN reported that the Azerbaijani government has refused to renew Peace Corps’ substantial youth development program. The volunteers, who worked on it were asked to leave Azerbaijan before the end of their mission, and the new volunteers were prevented from coming.
