Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 17 2004
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED EC DELEGATION HEADED BY
ROMANO PRODI
[September 17, 2004, 18:54:16]
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received at the
President Palace the delegation led by President of the European
Commission Romano Prodi, on September 17.
Greeting the guest, head of Azerbaijan state recalled his meeting
with Mr. Romano Prodi in Belgium telling it was very useful. The
Azerbaijan-European Union relations develop successfully, President
of Azerbaijan underlined. “Our country attaches great importance to
development of these relations”, he said. President Ilham Aliyev state
that the relations with the European Union are one of the priorities
of our state policy and we reach new accomplishments in this field,
he added.
Noting that the “New Policy of Neighborhood” is very important,
President Ilham Aliyev underlined that this policy is one of the
priorities in the relations of Azerbaijan and European Union. Head of
Azerbaijan stated that appointment of the European Union representative
on South Caucasus serves development of these relations.
Stating that cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other
fields between Azerbaijan and European Union develops successfully,
president Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence for strengthening of
these ties. Azerbaijan is an integral part of Europe and integration
to European structures is priority of our foreign policy, head of
Azerbaijan state emphasized.
Noting that there is successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and
European Union in the field of economy, in particular, in the power
field, President Ilham Aliyev said that there is a high level dialogue
in the political field.
Head of Azerbaijani state expressed confidence that the visit of Mr.
Romano Prodi to Azerbaijan would greatly promote the development and
strengthening of the bilateral relations.
Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for warm reception,
Mr. Prodi said that he was pleased with the visit. Noting that
cooperation in the political, economic and other fields is integral
part of the new policy of neighborhood he noted that realization
of this policy is of great significance from the viewpoint of
strengthening of cooperation and solution of the facing problems.
“There are important tasks before the European Union for implementation
of this policy and the EU holds fair position in regard with the
policy of neighborhood”, he said.
Mr. Romano Prodi said that quick resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict is necessary for successful realization
of the New Policy of Neighborhood. “The European Union with its 500
million population pays great importance on expansion of cooperation
between the EU and Azerbaijan that plays is significant role in the
region”, he stressed. He expressed confidence that these relations
would develop further.
Head of the PA foreign relations department Novruz Mammadov and the
representative of Azerbaijan in European Union Arif Mammadov took
part at the reception.