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Debate on the theme "Azerbaijan and South Caucasus " held in UK

08 November 2012 20:40 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Debates on the theme "Azerbaijan and South Caucasus" were held at the House of Lords on the initiative of Lord Laird, The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) told APA. Addressing the debates Lord Laird spoke about the UK-Azerbaijan relations, Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, its consequences, occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, displacement of more than one million people. He said despite all this, Azerbaijan was developing rapidly.
Lord noted that the activity of OSCE Minsk Group mediating in the settlement of the conflict was insufficient. He underlined that the US, France and Russia, co-chairing the Group, were the countries where Armenian Diaspora was functioning, asked whether the UK government was aware of that reality. Lord Laird said the UK might play a constructive role in the resolution of the conflict. With the view of realizing this role, Lord Laird offered to organize a high-level visit from the UK to Azerbaijan. He said the visit would be of great importance in terms of studying Azerbaijan and the problem.
Addressing the debate Lord Sheikh underlined that Azerbaijan had one of the most rapidly developing economies of the world.
"The spheres that Azerbaijan wants to develop include finance, telecommunications and infrastructure. Some important contracts have been recently guaranteed in technology and construction sector of a number of European countries. We should hurry to improve our commercial relations with Azerbaijan, unless other countries leave us behind," he said.
He underlined the importance of organizing high-level visits to improve commercial cooperation with Azerbaijan. Welcoming the recent visit of the UK Prime Minister to the United Arab Emirates, Lord said such visits were also expedient for Azerbaijan.
Speaking about the business relations between Azerbaijan and the UK, Lord Kilclooney underlined the importance of visits to Azerbaijan on the level of UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.
Lord Kilclooney, who visited Azerbaijan several times, said he witnessed that the Jews living in the country enjoyed equal rights as the Muslim population.
Touching on Nagorno Karabakh conflict Lord said 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory was still under Armenian occupation and noted that the Minsk Group applied double standards.
Addressing the debates Lord German, Lord Wallace, Lord Triesman, Lord Sandwich agreed to what had been said and underlined the necessity of enhancing the relations between the UK and Azerbaijan.
Baroness Cox again demonstrated pro-Armenian position and made statements against Azerbaijan.
Finalizing the debate Lord Wallace said they were committed to the region, underlined that Prime Minister David Cameron had twice met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
"We are determined to cooperate with this region, as it is a part of the broad European neighborhood. We are determined to cooperate in this region as an active exporter in the business and investment competition with our European partners Germany, France and other countries. Promoting the increasing importance of Azerbaijan, the entire Caucasus is in our mutual interests," he said.
Lord Laird, who organized the debate, is the member of the Advisory Board of The European Azerbaijan Society.