Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Oct 14 2004

VISIT OF CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS OF THE COUNCIL OF
EUROPE, FOREIGN MINISTER OF NORWAY IAN PETERSON TO AZERBAIJAN
[October 14, 2004, 11:58:44]

Reception in Milli Majlis

Chairman of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament) Murtuz Alaskarov has
received Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of
Europe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Ian
Peterson, now visiting Azerbaijan on October 13.

Warmly greeting the visitor, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament has
noted existing between Azerbaijan and Norway warm friendly links, has
especially emphasized merits of the national leader of Azerbaijan
people Heydar Aliyev in development of mutual relations. Having
informed that Norwegian Company “Statoil” and other companies have
enclosed large investments into economy of Azerbaijan, Chairman of
Parliament has expressed hope for the further development of
cooperation and increase in number of the Norwegian companies working
in our country. He has emphasized that Azerbaijan is the most
advanced country on the Southern Caucasus. Due to use of oil
resources and present development Azerbaijan is mentioned in line
with Norway.

Speaking about the obligations taken by Azerbaijan before the Council
of Europe, Murtuz Alaskarov has noted, that the majority of them has
been executed. There were some fine questions which are connected to
passage of alternative service and national minorities and which in
the near future also will find the solution.

Then speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament in detail informed on the
history and reasons of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh
conflict, the documents adopted by Security Council of the United
Nations, OSCE, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in
connection with the said conflict. He has especially emphasized that
Azerbaijan supports peace settlement of the conflict within the
framework of the norms of international law. At the same time,
Azerbaijan will not concede spans of the native lands and will
restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Having thanked for warm reception and detailed information, Ian
Peterson has noted that the Kingdom of Norway shows special interest
to development of connections with Azerbaijan. A number of the large
companies of Norway is going to enclose investments into the
Azerbaijan economy, and within the framework of visit he will carry
on negotiations on the given question.

Highly having estimated execution of obligations taken before the
Council of Europe by Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the Committee of
Ministers of COE has expressed his views and the Nagorny Karabakh
problem. He has told: “Indefiniteness in this conflict till present
time causes a regret. As a competent state on such questions, the
Kingdom of Norway can render assistance. The diplomat has emphasized,
that his country supports peace, fair settlement of this problem, and
has stated that renewal by the sides negotiations imparts hopes in
settlement of the conflict.

At the meeting, also were exchanged views on other questions
representing mutual interest.