AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 2006

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH GERMANY’S REPRESENTATIVE IN PACE
[October 13, 2006, 15:22:00]

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Germany’s representative
in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mr. Rainder
Steenblock and his accompanying delegation, press service of the
Ministry said.

Mr. Steenblock said it is his first visit to Azerbaijan.

Elmar Mammadyarov noted Azerbaijan is seeking integration into
Europe, and pointed to the Action Plan and memorandum on enhancement
of bilateral energy cooperation to be signed between Azerbaijan and
the European Union.

The Minister said Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation is also rapidly
developing, stressing the successful implementation of the Individual
Partnership Action Plan signed between the Organization and his
country.

On development of Azerbaijan’s energy sector, Mr. Mammadyarov
stressed the importance to enhance the non-oil sector including
agriculture, tourism and infrastructure.

On the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Elmar
Mammadyarov stressed Armenia’s non-constructive stance on this
dispute.

Rainder Steenblock, in his turn, said Germany is keen to develop its
ties with the countries in South Caucasus region.

He also pointed out that conflicts like the Nagorno-Karabakh pose a
serious threat to the entire region.