Azerbaijan, UK sign joint communique to improve ties
Turan news agency
15 Dec 04
Baku, 15 December: A joint communique has been signed on the results
of [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev’s visit to London on 13-14
December, the British embassy in Azerbaijan has said.
The document reads that during Ilham Aliyev’s meeting with Prime
Minister Tony Blair on 14 December, the sides expressed support for
the further strengthening of bilateral relations, the development of
Azerbaijan’s market economy and multiparty democracy based on the
supremacy of the law and the protection of human rights and freedoms.
Blair hailed Aliyev’s “determination” to carry out political and
democratic reforms in order to support the aforesaid goals by taking
into consideration the OSCE and the Council of Europe’s
recommendations.
Blair reiterated his country’s support for Azerbaijan’s independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Aliyev talked about a programme of measures aimed at improving
[Azerbaijan’s] business environment and supporting local and foreign
private investors, including those in the oil sector. The measures
also include the fight against corruption, reforms in the financial
system, improvements in the professionalism and independence of the
judiciary.
The sides agreed to continue military cooperation and train
Azerbaijani troops for participation in international missions,
dispatch British troops to Afghanistan and vice-versa via Azerbaijani
territory.
During the talks held in an expanded format, the sides supported
Azerbaijan’s rapprochement with the European Union with the aim of
carrying out reforms and expressed their readiness to help the South
Caucasus region re-establish peace, stability and good-neighbourly
relations.
They also agreed to continue joint efforts to find a peaceful and
standing solution to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The sides
expressed support for the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts in this direction
and noted the important contribution of the Caspian region to global
energy security. They acknowledged the importance of making effective
use of oil incomes for long-term development, reiterated their
readiness to continue joint efforts in the fight against terrorism and
hailed the development of Azerbaijan’s relations with NATO.
The sides confirmed the important role of NGOs in the development of
democracy, accountability, human rights, human values and
inter-community relations. They agreed to improve cultural
cooperation and opportunities for Azerbaijani students to study in the
UK.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress