AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Aug 26 2004

Danish Consulate opens in Baku

The visit by the Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller to
Azerbaijan on August 23-24 was signified by the inauguration of the
Danish Consulate in Baku. On Monday Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov and Minister Moller discussed cooperation between the two
countries, the situation in the South Caucasus region

and around the world. “We have held useful discussions and considered
many facets of Azerbaijani-Danish collaboration in the political,
economic and humanitarian fields”, Mammadyarov told a news briefing
following the meeting. He said that also discussed were issues
related to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh.

Mammadyarov added that over the past seven years the government of
Denmark has provided assistance worth $14 million to Azerbaijani
refugees and displaced persons. Danish Foreign Minister, in turn,
pointed out the strengthening ties between Denmark and Azerbaijan. He
said the two countries are collaborating in fighting international
terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and added that his visit to
Azerbaijan further proves this. With regard to possible facets of
bilateral cooperation, Moller spoke of interaction in the oil and
energy sectors, the use of Danish experience in environmental
protection in oil production on the Caspian Sea, developing
democratic entities and ensuring the rule of law in social life.

Denmark supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
The Danish official also said that with the current tensions around
the world, Azerbaijan and Denmark stand side by side and collaborate
in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, and in the area of combating weapons
of mass destruction and terrorism. “We (Denmark) are very interested
in this”, he said. Moller said that the Danish Honorary Consulate,
which opened in Azerbaijan on August 24, will be turned into an
embassy in the foreseeable future. Touching upon the Garabagh
conflict, the Danish Minister said that in general, the European
Union supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in resolving the
problem. “The OSCE Minsk Group will find ways to settle the conflict
suitable for both sides”, he said. Moller stated that as an EU
member-state, Denmark has always supported Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity in international organizations. “Denmark opposes forceful
occupation of land and supports a peace settlement of the conflict”,
he underlined. On Tuesday, Moller attended the opening ceremony of
the Danish Consulate. Moller completed his visit to Azerbaijan after
touring the Atashgah (fire worshippers site) in the Surakhany
district of Baku.

`Azerbaijan has great future’
President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with Minister Moller on
Monday that Azerbaijan is integrating into European organizations.
Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has been a full-fledge member of the
Council of Europe for over three years and noted that his country is
closely cooperating with influential international organizations,
including the European Union. The President underlined that
Azerbaijan has tremendous opportunities for expanding the relations
with Denmark and voiced a hope that the Danish minister’s visit to
Baku would further promote the EU-Azerbaijan relations. President
Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan is a country representing geo-strategic
importance in the region. He said that Armenia’s aggression against
Azerbaijan is a serious threat not only to his country but also for
peace and stability in the entire region. Moller, in turn, said his
first visit to Azerbaijan is of great importance for bilateral
relations. He expressed satisfaction with the meetings he held in
Baku and noted that Azerbaijan’s economic progress is important for
improving the nation’s welfare. “I believe that great future is in
store for Azerbaijan,” he said. The Danish official said that some
Danish companies are operating in the energy sector of Azerbaijan and
voiced his confidence that these companies will contribute to
developing the country’s economy. Moller also thanked President
Aliyev for Azerbaijan’s support for Denmark’s admission to the UN
Security Council.