NORWAY ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HOLDING TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN – REPORT
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 1 2005
01/09/2005 09:32
The official Oslo attaches great significance to issues related to
holding fair and transparent elections in Azerbaijan, the Norway’s
state secretary Kim Trovik stated on August 31 in Baku, Trend reports.
Kim Trovik noted, the purpose of the visit is development of the
Azerbaijani-Norwegian cooperation, discussion of regional issues, in
particular, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem settlement and implementation
of regional projects. He reminded, the Norwegian “Statoil” is one
of the largest investors into the oil and gas sector of Azerbaijan,
voicing the hope, that bilateral economic relations will develop also
in future.
As for the Norway’s stance on the forthcoming parliamentary elections
in Azerbaijan, Trovik noted, the official Oslo attaches great
significance to issues, related to holding parliamentary elections
in conformity with the international standards.
Commenting on the position of the Norwegian government on the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Minister noted,
“Norway supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk group and stands for
continuation of peace talks”.
“The official Oslo is rather optimistic and hopes, the meetings of
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will bring positive results in
the end,” the Minister said.
“Holding democratic elections is one of the commitments assumed by
Baku for the Council of Europe and other international organizations.
Undoubtedly, results of the voting are the sovereign choice of the
people of Azerbaijan. However, we stand for all candidates to create
equal conditions,” Trovik said, reminding, 6 short-term and 3 long-term
observers will be involved in the monitoring of the elections.
Touching upon the issue of implementation of the project for
supporting the South Caucasus states, performed by the Norwegian
government together with UNDP, the diplomat noted, that within the
project Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia will be allocated totally 10
million of USD till the end of 2007.
“One third of this amount will be given to Azerbaijan,” Trovik added.
“For today, the government of Norway elaborates a number of new joint
projects in regard to Azerbaijan,” the state secretary said, noting
that joint cooperation presupposes implementation of programs in the
development of democratic institution, energy projects, as well as
measures on support of refugees and internally displaced persons.