Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Oct 13 2004
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES DELEGATION LED
BY CHAIRMAN OF COE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS, FOREIGN MINISTER OF NORWAY
IAN PETERSON
[October 13, 2004, 17:33:02]
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 13 October at
the President Palace has received the delegation led by Chairman of
the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Mr. Ian Peterson.
Greeting the guest, Head of the Azerbaijan State spoke of the
democratic reforms successfully being conducted in the country, noting
that the policy of integration to the European structures established
by the national leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev is one of
the priorities of our state policy and Azerbaijan adheres this course.
Noting with great pleasure the developing dynamic, mutually beneficial
relations between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe, President Ilham
Aliyev said that the country from the first day of its membership
takes active part in the work of the Council of Europe and its
Parliamentary Assembly.
Touching upon the obligations Azerbaijan took before the Organization,
head of Azerbaijan State said the Republic fully implements these
obligations. We do not do it merely that we have taken them, and
this is confirmation of the policy being pursued in the direction
of democratization of the society in Azerbaijan, President Aliyev
stressed.
Speaking of the aggression of Armenia to the country and the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, President Ilham
Aliyev disclosed position of the Azerbaijani side in settlement of
the problem, which bases on international law and principles.
Touching upon the discussion of this conflict in the Council of
Europe, including in the Parliamentary Assembly, President Ilham
Aliyev said that the country always adheres large discussion of the
problem, because position of Azerbaijan is fair. When Azerbaijan
initiated on appointment of the Council of Europe rapporteur on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Armenia always opposed
it. And this shows that Armenia is not interested in bringing the
truth to the notice of lager world communities.
Head of the Azerbaijani State said cooperation of Azerbaijan with the
Council of Europe and PACE is also realized in other fields on mutual
understanding, which is important for both Azerbaijan and the Council
of Europe. Azerbaijan takes active part in the process of integration
to Europe, from this point of view, “we attach great importance to
cooperation with both the Council of Europe and the European Union”,
the President underlined.
Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for kind words, Ian
Peterson said he had a number of useful meetings during his visit
to Azerbaijan. The guest emphasized that his visit was important
from the standpoint of Azerbaijan-Norway and Azerbaijan-Council of
Europe cooperation.
Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe
Ian Peterson expressed satisfaction with the successful development
of the relations between Azerbaijan and Norway, adding, that this,
in turn, shows itself in cooperation in economic field. Giving high
assessment to the activity of Norway’s Statoil Company in Azerbaijan,
the Minister expressed confidence that bilateral economic cooperation
between the two countries would also envelope the non-oil spheres.
Dwelling on the Azerbaijan-Council of Europe relations, Mr. Ian
Peterson stated that Azerbaijan regards the obligations as a part
of democratic development. He highly appreciated such approach by
Azerbaijan to the obligations. Development of this cooperation is
mutually beneficial, Mr. Peterson underlined.
Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration
Novruz Mammadov, head of the Azerbaijan parliamentary delegation at
PACE Samad Seyidov, ambassador of Norway to Azerbaijan Steiner Gil,
Azerbaijan’s permanent representative at the Council of Europe,
ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev took part at the reception.