Azeri foreign minister, Canadian official discuss Karabakh, ties

Sarq, Baku
16 Mar 04

Text of Zulfuqar report by Azerbaijani newspaper Sarq on 16 March
headlined “Vilayat Quliyev received David Preston” and subheaded “They
discussed the Nagornyy Karabakh problem”

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Quliyev yesterday received David
Preston, director general of the Central, East and South Europe
Department of Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade, the Azerbaijani ministry’s press service has reported.

The meeting discussed the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between Armenia
and Azerbaijan and ways to resolve it, bilateral relations between the
two countries and other subjects of mutual interest. Quliyev said that
this visit will strengthen friendly relations between Azerbaijan and
Canada and will contribute to the development of fruitful cooperation
within international organizations. The visit will also expand
economic relations and will benefit the prospects for further
Azerbaijani-Canadian cooperation. Quliyev said that he supports the
purpose of the visit.

He also briefed Preston on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, on efforts
to resolve it and the harsh living conditions of refugees. It is
important that the international community steps up its efforts to
resolve the conflict as soon as possible and in line with
international legal norms and principles, he said.

In turn, Preston said that the purpose of the visit was to expand
relations between Canada and Azerbaijan in various spheres. Canada
attaches great importance to the comprehensive development of
relations with Azerbaijan and desires closer cooperation in
international organizations.

Speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Preston expressed
the hope that this problem will soon be resolved in a peaceful way
with the efforts of the international community.