ELMAR MAMMADYAROV HOLDS HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS IN LUXEMBOURG

APA
Oct 27 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited
Luxembourg to attend the tenth meeting of the European Union –
Azerbaijan Cooperation Council, Foreign Ministry’s press service told
APA. The plenary meeting of the Cooperation Council was preceded by
a joint ministerial working breakfast with participation of Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Carl Bildt, Spanish State Secretary for
European Affairs Diego López Garrido, EU High Representative for the
Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, representatives
of the European Commission, foreign ministers of the three South
Caucasian countries. During the meeting the parties discussed the
current state and prospects of the relations between the European
Union and the South Caucasian countries, cooperation within the
framework of the Eastern Partnership, particularly preparation of the
association agreements with EU, resolution of the conflicts in the
South Caucasus. Elmar Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan is interested in
deepening cooperation with EU in various spheres and attaches great
importance to the Eastern Partnership Initiative. Touching on the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Elmar Mammadyarov said in
order to achieve improvement in the settlement, Armenia must withdraw
its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

The next meeting was held with EU High Representative for the Common
Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. They exchanged views
on the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, regional issues, particularly
on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Elmar Mammadyarov
gave information about the negotiations on the settlement of the
conflict, our country’s position on the problem. Foreign Minister
said withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied Azerbaijani
lands will pave the way for the restoration of all communications in
the region, establishment of peace and security, regional development
and cooperation. Javier Solana underlined the importance of dynamics
in the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict and said the
European Union is ready to take possible steps for the improvement
of the process.

The tenth meeting of the European Union – Azerbaijan Cooperation
Council was held after the meetings. The EU delegation was led by Carl
Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy
represented the Commission and Diego López Garrido, State Secretary
for European Affairs represented the incoming Spanish Presidency. The
participants underlined the importance of improving EU-Azerbaijan
relations basing on the countries’ sovereignty, territorial integrity
and respect for the inviolability of the internationally recognized
borders. It was noted that President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Brussels
gave impetus to Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. Eastern Partnership
Initiative was welcomed and it was noted that this program will give
an impetus to the development of the relations between the EU and
Azerbaijan. The importance of the association agreement was also
underlined.

The most recent state of the process of settlement of
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict was discussed at the meeting. Elmar
Mammadyarov said opening of the borders and restoration of
communications without the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the
occupied territories wouldn’t bring peace and stability to the region
because the essence of the problem – the fact of occupation of the
Azerbaijani territories is not solved. EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation
was also discussed at the meeting and the sides underlined the role of
Azerbaijan in the European energy security and diversification of the
energy resources. EU noted that it supports the draft resolution on
the "Transnational Eurasian super information main line" proposed by
Azerbaijan to the UN General Assembly and it was agreed to establish
European Research Center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The participants of the meeting
also emphasized the significant role of democratic reforms in the
strengthening of sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting, representatives of EU Presidency, European
Commission, as well as foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Armenia held joint press conference.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov held a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
for Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They held discussions around the meeting
of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Chisinau, current round of
the talks and next visit of the co-chairs to the region.

Elmar Mammadyarov also met with the chairman of Luxembourgian Chamber
of Deputies Laurent Mosar and discussed with him the current state and
development prospects of Azerbaijan-Luxembourg relations. The foreign
minister informed about the process of development in Azerbaijan,
strategic projects where Azerbaijan is an initiator and one of the
participants, as well as regional significance of the country. Mosar
said he closely watched the development processes in Azerbaijan and
welcomed its right direction and high achievements.

Elmar Mammadyarov held his last meeting within the visit with
the foreign minister of France Barnard Kouchner. The ministers
discussed current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-French
cooperation, regional situation, particularly settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan-EU cooperation as well.