GOOGLE MAY OPEN OFFICE IN BAKU

The 7th global forum on Governance of the Internet, which has been held in Baku, brought together more than 1,500 participants from over 100 countries. They included Vinton Cerf, 62, the vice-president of the American Internet company Google, which is called the father of the Internet. After the forum we were able to catch up with him and get the answers to a few questions.

- The forum showed that governments are focusing special attention on questions of governance of the Internet. Is this really important?

- Internet security is a major problem for officials. The Internet is developing at such a speed today that it is not easy to control it. A correct strategy needs to be devised. For example, governments should focus more attention on cyber security than on specific cyber attacks.

- Doesn't this give the Internet management forum more relevance? What's the view of one of the founders of the worldwide web?

- Following the World Summit on the Information Community the UN issued an appeal and since 2006 people have started to devote special attention to governance of the Internet. The first forum on this subject was held in Greece. This is a platform where opinions can be exchanged and problems discussed.  At the same time, this forum is not an ordinary structure. It is based on the information community. In Baku more attention was focused on differences in matters of security, immunity and transparency. I believe we shall see results.

- What is the present impact of ICT on the world order and the economic situation?

- Information and communications technology covers all spheres of life. It is impossible to imagine life today without the Internet. The development of science and education is unthinkable without the Internet. Or, for example, the role of information and communications technology in the growth of world GDP. Thanks to ICT countries are able to advance their economy with ease.

- What can you say about the meetings held in Azerbaijan?

- Here I learned that in Azerbaijan the revenue from oil is being directed towards the development of the non-oil sector. This gives grounds for optimism for your country's future. Freedom of speech and expression are important for any society and Azerbaijan gives preference to these values. Indeed, my observations throughout the forum showed that from the Azerbaijani government's side openness and transparency have been fully secured. We shall continue with our observations.

- Do you think users could imagine the Internet without Google?

- Probably not. Google continues to be an Internet leader. We have been in the forefront for 12 years now.

- The idea of a Google office opening in Azerbaijan was voiced during the forum. What do you think about that?

- Google is keen to have a presence in active regions. Your country and the region in which it is situated are very active. I intend to discuss this with the management. If they agree, we shall open an office here. I am optimistic about Azerbaijan and we shall probably be considering this question.

- There have been complaints about Google. For example, people in Azerbaijan were unhappy about the distortion of information about the Armenian-occupied Nagornyy Karabakh and the depiction of Azerbaijani territory as Armenian, and so on. Do you intend to raise the question about eradicating these problems?

- Google is a serious company. Yes, at times there are things that concern us and we take this into account. We shall also consider the question you have raised.