Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
April 21 2004

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS GERMAN COUNTERPART

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met with
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Joschka Fischer now visiting
Azerbaijan, April 21 to discuss development of bilateral relations,
cooperation on a number of joint regional projects, settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorny Karabakh and other issues,
AzerTAj correspondent reports.

The Ministers then have held briefing for media representatives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov announced
that during the one-on-one meeting with his German counterpart, they
focused on prospects of development of political, economic and
cultural relations between the two countries, Azerbaijan’s
integration into Europe, ways of solution to Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, cooperation in combating terrorism and
touched on other issues as well.

Asked by German journalist whether opening borders between Turkey and
Armenia can complicate the conflict’s resolution, Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov answered that during President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev’s recent official visit to Ankara this question had been
discussed with Foreign Minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul, and It was
especially stressed that Turkey would not open its borders to Armenia
until the occupied Azerbaijani lands are released.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Joschka Fischer described his
meeting Azerbaijani counterpart as very fruitful. He expressed
satisfaction with improvement of the level of German language
learning in Azerbaijan. Speaking of the resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Mr. Fischer said Germany sharing the
stance of the European Union towards the problem is very interested
in establishment of stability in the region. He promised as well that
Germany would do its best to assist development of democracy in
Azerbaijan.

Responding to the question from AzerTAj reporter of Germany’s
position with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Foreign
Minister said Germany wants the conflict to be settled as soon as
possible. Germany is one of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, he said,
and we are aware of the existing difficulties. Mr. Fischer pointed
out the country is trying to contribute to the conflict’s resolution
in the framework of the Minsk group.

The Foreign Minister of Germany expressed satisfaction with human
rights situation in Azerbaijan mentioning the Decrees on Pardon
signed recently by President Ilham Aliyev and the work done in the
country for ensuring freedom of media. Mr. Fischer also described
activity of Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe and NATO `Partnership
for Peace Program’ as very positive factor.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress