Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 17 2004

AZERBAIJAN-CANADIAN RELATIONS ACQUIRE NEW STAGE
[June 17, 2004, 11:16:16]

On June 16, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic Elmar
Mammadyarov has met the ambassador of Canada Michael Lire
re-appointed in Turkey and Azerbaijan.

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, having thanked for warm reception, ambassador
Michael Lire has handed over minister Elmar Mammadyarov a copy of the
accrediting letter and has emphasized, that he would actively work in
the direction of development of relations between the two countries.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated the ambassador with new
appointment has wished him successes in activity. Having noted, that
Azerbaijan attaches great importance to all-around development of
links with Canada, he has emphasized, that our countries possess
ample opportunities in many areas. Having informed the visitor that
in the near future in Toronto the embassy of Azerbaijan will be open,
the Minister has expressed a wish about fast opening in Baku
embassies of Canada. He has noted, that opening of embassies will
give a new pulse to communications between our countries.

Then, the head of foreign policy department has in detail told about
political, public and economic situation in Azerbaijan after gaining
independence, democratic reforms spent in the country, integration of
our republic into the European institutes, the obligations taken by
our country before the international organizations, and their
successful performance, has informed the ambassador on the position
of our republic in connection with the work done in the direction of
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

Having touched the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, minister Elmar
Mammadyarov has informed the ambassador on participation of the
Azerbaijan peacemakers in the antiterrorist coalition.

At the meeting, also were focused a number of other questions
representing mutual interest.