BAKU: Slovenia, Azerbaijan Presidents Meet

SLOVENIA, AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTS MEET

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 28, 2006

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev visiting Slovenia today had a
one-on-one meeting with Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek.

APA reports quoting Azertag the sides exchanged views on development
bilateral relations and international issues. Following the meeting
of the presidents, the delegations held a meeting. The two heads of
state held a press conference.

Slovenian President Janez Drnovseki said Azerbaijan and Slovenia
declared their independences almost at the same time. Since that
time, the two countries have achieved great improvements in their
developments.

"We can achieve more progress through bilateral cooperation between
our countries. There exist opportunities to develop cooperation
in political, economic and cultural spheres. We can also take an
active part in the project of forming future Europe. I am hopeful
for Azerbaijan’s future EU membership and its full integration into
Europe. I believe the Nagorno Garabagh conflict will be resolved in a
peaceful way in this context. This problem will be solved by mutual
agreement. We know that this dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia
has lasted long. I hope both countries will make joint efforts with
the European Union to cope with difficulties. Slovenia is ready to
help Azerbaijan by all possible means," Mr.Drnovseki said.

President Aliyev said the relations between the toe countries are
developing very speedily, and this visit will give impetus to further
development.

"There exists a potential to continue the successful cooperation
between our countries. At the same time, we are interested in Slovenia
as EU member country. I want to note that Azerbaijani hero Mehdi
Huseynzadeh fought shoulder to shoulder with Slovenians against
fascism and was buried in Slovenia," Mr.Aliyev said.

Touching on the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict,
President Aliyev said, Azerbaijan’s position bases on international
law norms.

"Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has been violated. Armenia is
pursuing ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijan, which resulted
in over one million Azerbaijanis becoming internally displaced
persons. What Azerbaijan demands is to resolve the conflict within
international law norms," he underlined.