AZERBAIJAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HOLDS CONSULTATIONS AT RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 10 2007

Russia, Moscow / corr. Trend R.Agayev / Within his two-day visit to
Moscow on 7-8 May, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Araz
Azimov, held a number of meetings at the Foreign Ministry of Russia
which focused on regional and international security, as well as the
development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.

Azimov made a report on Azerbaijan’s policy on security at the
invitation of the Center for Caucasus Researches of the International
State Institute of International Relations on 8 May before the
professors and teachers of the Institute and representatives of the
expert society. On the same day, Azimov delivered a report at the
Moscow Center of Carnegie on contemporary challenges of Azerbaijan
and regional security.

Azimov spoke of the results of the consultations held at the Russian
Foreign Ministry and the multi-sector foreign policy of Azerbaijan.

In particular the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan said that
Azerbaijan, as a State of South Caucasus, does not shun from any deep
regional frames and pursues multilateral policy. According to him,
Azerbaijan implements open and sequential foreign policy directed
towards close integration with leading political centers around the
world. " Azerbaijan, like Russia, attaches a great importance to the
security of its borders in accordance with the national interests
and resources," Azimov said.

At the Foreign Ministry of Russia, Azimov held meetings with the Deputy
Foreign Minister of Russia G. Karasin and S. Kislyan. He described
the consultations between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries
as very useful and important from the point of view of understanding
each other and assessing the regional security and interest of the
two countries. "During the visit, we were able to establish a full
and comprehensive agenda for our talks on the issues of security and
military-political co-operation. The consultations continued in a
congenial atmosphere," he said.

"They particularly highlighted that Azerbaijan is a very significant
partner for Russia and relations are established on the basis of
mutual confidence and respect and I added that these relations are
possible to be developed further. We have created favorable grounds to
continue the consultations which may influence practical co-operation,"
Deputy Foreign Minister said.

"The issues of co-operation of Russia and Azerbaijan within
international organizations that were broadly discussed during
Moscow consultations testified that we may do much with regards
to inter-civilization talks, fighting against terrorism, organized
criminality and narcotics, as well as co-operation in UNO," Azimov
said adding that debates were also organized on Euro-Atlantic topic,
control on arms, disarmament, non-proliferation and security in
Caspian Sea, placement of anti-missile defense system in Europe,
co-operation with NATO, general situation around the world,
trans-regional and transnational projects. He stressed that the issue
of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was the focus of
the discussions. "The Azerbaijani side has demonstrated to its fullest
the possibility of compromising. In addition, the conflict settlement
supported by Azerbaijan is based on the principles of international
law. Azerbaijan’s position was again presented to the Russians and
we are satisfied with the exchange of views," Azerbaijan’s Deputy
Foreign Minister concluded.