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During her visit to Baku, the US Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland met with representatives of civil society in Azerbaijan. The meeting was attended by the head of the Union of Journalists and editor of the newspaper "Zerkalo" Elchin Shikhli, chairman of the youth movement NIDA Turgut Gambar and Marshall Fund representative Mehriban Rahimli.

As Elchin Shikhli told "Turan", during the meeting they touched upon such issues as civil society, the existing restrictions and tougher laws. The facts on harassment and arrests of activists were noted, the impossibility of NGOs and the media’s normal operation. They remembered the arrested journalists Khadija Ismayilova, Rauf Mirkadyrov and others.

In his turn, Nuland stated that she is informed about the situation, confirming the ongoing support of the US for democracy and human rights. She stated that Washington maintains an ongoing dialogue with official Baku on these issues and monitors the situation.

As the "Haqqin.az" reports, meeting of the US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland with the representatives of the civil society and opposition in Azerbaijan lasted only 20 minutes.

After this meeting, Victoria Nuland held a press conference at which responded to reporters' questions. On the question of "Turan", how the United States regarded the accusations against Washington on the preparation of a color revolution in Azerbaijan, Nuland said that the revolution is possible when there is no dialogue between government, civil society and ordinary people. "That's why we are in favor of a strong dialogue between the authorities and the civil society, which will resolve existing problems," said Nuland.

Nuland also stated that during the meeting with the Azerbaijani leadership they also discussed issues of democracy and human rights. "Open and good contact between the government and civil society is crucial for the future of the country and the United States support it. Today we talked about US concerns on this issue, the human rights situation and problems of the media. We agreed to continue consultations on this issue and strengthen them through the US-Azerbaijani dialogue on civil society and democracy. It is about creating a bilateral structure, which will run in parallel with the structures of the Council of Europe," said Assistant Secretary of State.