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European Parliament hosts debates on Azerbaijan - PHOTO

European Parliament hosts debates on Azerbaijan - <font color=red>PHOTO</font>

11 May 2012 10:38 (UTC +04:00)

12 European parliamentarians and about 40 representatives of the European MPs, as well as advisers to various political groups attended the event on energy cooperation organized on the initiative of the Brussels-based Azerbaijan Communication Office (OCAZ) and hosted by the European MPs Franco Gaston and Norbert Neuser.

After the introductory speeches by the organizers, former member of the Belgian Senate, member of the Brussels regional parliament, former chairman of the Azerbaijan-Belgium inter-parliamentary friendship group Alain Destexhe welcomed the guests and underlined the importance of such events. Then energy experts Olav Aamlid Syversen and Laura Parmigiani delivered speeches. They emphasized that Azerbaijan proved its importance for the European energy security many times and therefore the European countries must strengthen their cooperation with Azerbaijan for the diversification of energy sources.

Olav Aamlid Syversen underlined the successful oil transportation from Azerbaijan to Europe and increase of gas export potential as well.

Then parliamentarians held debates. EP member Edith Herzoq also called Azerbaijan as the strong partner of Europe and said it would be so further. MPs Norbert Neuser, Vytautas Landsbergis and Roger Helmer expressed their opinions during the debates.

Member of the European Parliament Ivo Vajgl said Azerbaijan is close partner for Europe, but there are some factors preventing the development of the country, 20 percent of internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan were occupied by Armenia for more than 20 years. He said Europe must be more active in this issue.

Belgian parliamentarian Alain Destexhe said there are many reasons to visit and see Azerbaijan and recommended to everyone to visit this country.

Director of the Azerbaijan Communication Office Muslum Mammadov thanked the guests for their attention attached to Azerbaijan.