Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Feb 7 2005
SPEAKER OF TURKISH PARLIAMENT MEETS HEADS OF AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT
[February 07, 2005, 16:10:20]
On February 7, Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
Bulent Arinc and the accompanied delegation has been in the Milli
Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic.
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov, first deputy
speaker Arif Rahimzade and head of the Parliament Administration Safa
Mirzayev and other officials welcomed the guests.
Heads of the Parliaments of Azerbaijan and Turkey had a one-on-one
meeting.
Then, Mr. Bulent Arinc and the Turkish delegation familiarized with
the Milli Majlis museum.
The delegation of Turkey and Azerbaijan parliamentarians held a
meeting in large. Speaker Murtuz Alaskarov thanked Mr. Bulent Arinc
for visit to Azerbaijan, wished it to be useful, stating the
relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, basing on common historical,
cultural, religious and moral roots, develops in the spirit of
friendship and fraternity. After gaining sovereignty, in
strengthening of friendship and fraternity an exclusive role belongs
to the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, he said. Thanks
to regular visits of the officials of two countries, the relations
have acquired higher level. The documents signed during the first
visit of President Ilham Aliyev have founded legislative basis for
long-term cooperation. As a result, the economic links of two
countries are developing. Over thousand Turkish businessmen have
invested in numerous fields of Azerbaijan’s economy. Realization of
the BTC oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline will play
important role in development of Azerbaijani and Turkey, as well as
in establishment of stability in the region.
The parliamentary links of two countries also develop. Our
legislators cooperate within the international organizations. The
Council of Europe has adopted a resolution in connection to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where calls Armenia as
an aggressor state, and the regime in the Nagorno Karabakh region as
a separatist. In discussion of the document, the Turkish deputies
have actively taken part.
Mr. Alaskarov updated the guests on the document, expressed gratitude
to the Turkish state and government for support of Azerbaijan’s
position.
Chairman of the Milli Majlis reminded his visit to France last year,
the insidious wishes of the Armenians related to recognition of the
so-called “Armenian genocide” that he condemned during his visit.
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament also reminded the Khojali massacre
the Armenians have committed in February 26 in 1992 and expressed
hope that the Turkish Parliament would regard this question.
Expressing gratitude for cordial reception and provided information,
Mr. Bulent Arinc said he was pleased to visit the fraternal country.
He reminded huge contributions of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev in development and strengthening of the relations
between two countries.
Mr. Bulent Arinc expressed consent with inter-parliamentary links,
noting that on 23 April, Turkey would mark the 85th anniversary of
establishment of the Grand National Assembly and wished to see the
Azerbaijan parliamentary delegation in the festivities. “Turkey
always and constantly supports Azerbaijan position in settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and it will remain unchangeable”, he
stated.
Mr. Bulent Arinc said on February 26 the Turkish parliamentarians are
going to hold discussions related to the Khojali genocide.
Speaker of the Turkish Parliament gave high assessment to activity of
the Turkish businessmen in Azerbaijan, noting that the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil-gas pipelines would
strengthen the two countries economically and play important role in
integration to Europe.
At the meeting, also were exchanged views on a number of other issues
of mutual interest.