NORWEGIAN OFFICIAL TO DISCUSS COOPERATION, KARABAKH IN AZERBAIJAN

ANS TV, Baku
31 Aug 05

[Presenter] Norwegian State Secretary Kim Traavik arrived in Azerbaijan
today [31 August]. Answering journalists’ questions about the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem at [Baku’s] Heydar Aliyev airport, Traavik confined
himself to general phrases.

[Correspondent over video of Traavik at airport] The Oslo government
supports the talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents for
the peaceful settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh problem. Norwegian
State Secretary Kim Traavik, who arrived in Baku on a visit today,
voiced his hope that dialogue between the sides would help settle
the conflict.

[Traavik speaking to microphone in English with Azeri voice-over]
The purpose of my visit to Azerbaijan is to discuss the regional
issues and the Karabakh problem and learn prospects for cooperation
in the oil sector and other economic spheres.

[Correspondent] The diplomat said that Norway was closely watching
the parliamentary polls which are due in Azerbaijan in autumn and
stressed his country’s support for fair and free polls.

[Passage omitted: Norway to allocate 10m dollars to the South Caucasus
countries as part of the UN Development Programme]