Interfax News Agency, Russia
May 26 2008

AZERBAIJAN HOPES FOR CONSTRUCTIVE STANCE FROM ARMENIA AT UPCOMING …

Azerbaijan hopes that Armenia will be constructive at a meeting of the
two presidents in St. Petersburg on June 6. The meeting is planned on
the sidelines of a CIS informal summit, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
spokesman Khazar Ibrahim told a Monday press briefing.

We said earlier that it was necessary to prepare the meeting. It seems
time has come to hold it, he said.

We expect Armenia to be constructive, to show goodwill, to accept
realities and to take relevant steps, he said.

The spokesman also said that Azerbaijan wished to strengthen relations
with Russia, which recently elected its new president.

Azerbaijan and Russia are neighbors. Azerbaijan will continue to
develop relations with Russia, he said.

Azerbaijan is ready to cooperate with international organizations in
preparations for the presidential election of this October, Ibrahim
said.

We are always ready for free and transparent cooperation with any
international organizations focused on the election process, he said.

Azerbaijan will develop this cooperation before, during and after the
elections, Ibrahim said. There is no other way to do it, he added.