AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Jan 12 2005

GERMAN MARSHAL FUND OF US REALIZING PROJECT CONNECTED TO AZERBAIJAN
[January 12, 2005, 22:53:51]

On January 12, Chairman of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament)
Murtuz Alaskarov has received the delegation of the German Marshal
Fund of the United States.

Warmly having welcomed the visitors, Mr. Alaskarov has told:
`Existing between Azerbaijan and the USA friendly links develop on
ascending. Due to efforts of heads of the states, our relations have
reached the level of strategic partnership. The documents signed
during visits of the national leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar
Aliyev in the USA, have created a fine basis for development of our
connections. After the meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev with the President of the USA George Bush carried out last
year in Istanbul Summit of the NATO in development of our connections
began a new stage. Our inter-parliamentary links extend and become
stronger also. Due to the Memorandum signed during visits of the US
congressman Kurt Weldon in our country in 2003-2004, have been
created groups of friendship for development of relations between the
Milli Majlis and the US Congress. I hope, your current visit renders
positive influence on expansion of our relations and the further
development of our connections.

Then, Chairman of Milli Majlis has in detail informed visitors on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict and has expressed hope
that the USA as one of co-chairmen of the Minsk Group would increase
the efforts directed on settlement of the given problem. He has noted
that Azerbaijan takes active participation and in antiterrorist
operations of the United States. The US Government should take into
account it and undertake concerning the aggressor strict measures.

Having expressed gratitude for warm reception and the detailed
information, head of the delegation Mr. Ronald D. Asmus has told:
`The German Marshal’s Fund has prepared a project on creation in the
USA the extensive information base connected to Azerbaijan, and to
the beginning on the basis of the given information of wide
discussions among the public. The purpose of visit to Azerbaijan will
be to collect large information on this country, carry out exchange
of views with representatives of the state, the Government and
Parliament.

At the meeting, the sides have exchanged opinions on other questions
representing mutual interest.