Foreign

Home page

Foreign

Elmar Mammadyarov holds high-level meetings in Luxembourg

27 October 2009 08:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Azerbaijanâ€™s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited Luxembourg to attend the tenth meeting of the European Union â€“ Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, Foreign Ministryâ€™s press service told APA. The plenary meeting of the Cooperation Council was preceded by a joint ministerial working breakfast with participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Carl Bildt, Spanish State Secretary for European Affairs Diego LÃ³pez Garrido, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, representatives of the European Commission, foreign ministers of the three South Caucasian countries. During the meeting the parties discussed the current state and prospects of the relations between the European Union and the South Caucasian countries, cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, particularly preparation of the association agreements with EU, resolution of the conflicts in the South Caucasus. Elmar Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan is interested in deepening cooperation with EU in various spheres and attaches great importance to the Eastern Partnership Initiative. Touching on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Elmar Mammadyarov said in order to achieve improvement in the settlement, Armenia must withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

The next meeting was held with EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. They exchanged views on the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, regional issues, particularly on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Elmar Mammadyarov gave information about the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict, our countryâ€™s position on the problem. Foreign Minister said withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands will pave the way for the restoration of all communications in the region, establishment of peace and security, regional development and cooperation. Javier Solana underlined the importance of dynamics in the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict and said the European Union is ready to take possible steps for the improvement of the process.

The tenth meeting of the European Union â€“ Azerbaijan Cooperation Council was held after the meetings. The EU delegation was led by Carl Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy represented the Commission and Diego LÃ³pez Garrido, State Secretary for European Affairs represented the incoming Spanish Presidency. The participants underlined the importance of improving EU-Azerbaijan relations basing on the countriesâ€™ sovereignty, territorial integrity and respect for the inviolability of the internationally recognized borders. It was noted that President Ilham Aliyevâ€™s visit to Brussels gave impetus to Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. Eastern Partnership Initiative was welcomed and it was noted that this program will give an impetus to the development of the relations between the EU and Azerbaijan. The importance of the association agreement was also underlined.

The most recent state of the process of settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict was discussed at the meeting. Elmar Mammadyarov said opening of the borders and restoration of communications without the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories wouldnâ€™t bring peace and stability to the region because the essence of the problem â€“ the fact of occupation of the Azerbaijani territories is not solved. EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation was also discussed at the meeting and the sides underlined the role of Azerbaijan in the European energy security and diversification of the energy resources. EU noted that it supports the draft resolution on the â€œTransnational Eurasian super information main lineâ€ proposed by Azerbaijan to the UN General Assembly and it was agreed to establish European Research Center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The participants of the meeting also emphasized the significant role of democratic reforms in the strengthening of sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting, representatives of EU Presidency, European Commission, as well as foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia held joint press conference.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov held a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They held discussions around the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Chisinau, current round of the talks and next visit of the co-chairs to the region.

Elmar Mammadyarov also met with the chairman of Luxembourgian Chamber of Deputies Laurent Mosar and discussed with him the current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-Luxembourg relations. The foreign minister informed about the process of development in Azerbaijan, strategic projects where Azerbaijan is an initiator and one of the participants, as well as regional significance of the country. Mosar said he closely watched the development processes in Azerbaijan and welcomed its right direction and high achievements.

Elmar Mammadyarov held his last meeting within the visit with the foreign minister of France Barnard Kouchner. The ministers discussed current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-French cooperation, regional situation, particularly settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan-EU cooperation as well.