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Azerbaijani President: "Since the first days of independence until present time Azerbaijan feels EU support"

14 January 2011 01:00 (UTC +04:00)

The President noted that the visit of the European Commission to Azerbaijan is an indicator of high-level relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. "We highly value these relationships. For many years, in various formats weâ€™ve worked hard to achieve such results", - the Head of State emphasized.

Azerbaijani president said that there is "Eastern Partnership" program that Azerbaijan is a member of this program and it creates new prospects for cooperation.

President Aliyev said that in meetings with European Commission President were discussed all the aspects of relations between Azerbaijan and the EU. In particular, issues of cooperation in economical field, political reforms, the democratization process in Azerbaijan, the situation in the region, issues of security.

The main topics of discussion was the diversification of energy supply, the settlement process of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Both sides expressed a desire to further development of relations and strengthening partnership founded in the nearest decade", - he said.

The Head of State stressed the importance of the signed "Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor".

According to him, this document covers all aspects of Azerbaijanâ€™s cooperation with European institutions in the field of energy. â€œAzerbaijan pursues an open, transparent and sincere energy policy. As a result of it Azerbaijan managed to attract billions of dollars of foreign investment and diversify energy supplies. Today we have 7 of export pipelines. This infrastructure allows us to transport Azerbaijani oil and gas resources to various directionsâ€, - Azerbaijani President said.

â€œIssues of energy security, diversification of supply are important for exporter, consumer and transit countries", - he said.

The President noted that Azerbaijan supports Southern Energy Corridor project from the very beginning.

In fact, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline were the first initiatives in this direction.

Head of State noted good prospects of signed "Joint Declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor" with European Commission President.

President Aliyev also expressed confidence that "in the coming months we will witness very important events. From this standpoint collaboration between Azerbaijan and European Union, European institutions in the energy field will successfully go onâ€.

During the discussions of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict, it was noted that the continuation of occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia is a potential threat to regional security.

"We are grateful to the international institutions, particularly the European Parliament that last year adopted resolution on the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This resolution is in full accordance with previously adopted resolutions. Is in full accordance with UN, EC and OSCE resolutions. The early settlement of the the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will restore the internationally recognized territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons will return to their homes and also will bring security to the regionâ€, - Azerbaijani president said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed that the range of cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU is very wide. "The high spirit of partnership will continue in our bilateral relations. In subsequent years, this will give very positive results", - Azerbaijani President emphasized.