Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
July 21 2004
MILLI MAJLIS SPEAKER MEETS ROMANIAN AMBASSADOR
[July 21, 2004, 21:39:33]
Chairman of the Milli Majlis Murtuz Alasgarov received Ambassador of
Romania to Azerbaijan Nikolae Ureke at the Parliament’s Heydar Aliyev
Hall on 21 July.
During the conversation, Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov noted in
particular, that Azerbaijan and Romania had maintained close contacts
in trade, cultural, scientific and education spheres as early as
during the Soviet Union. After the independence, according to him,
the relations between the two countries began to develop more
intensively. Mr. Alasgarov pointed out as well that very important
documents had been signed between the two countries during the visits
by nationwide leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev to
Romania, and by Romanian leaders to Azerbaijan. These documents have
special importance for deepening of our relationship, and today, our
countries are closely cooperate in the framework of such regional
protects as the Great Silk Route, TRACECA and others, he said.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,
the Speaker emphasized that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had
repeatedly stated that the country stands for peaceful solution to
the conflict. Under the UN’s known resolutions, the Armenian armed
forces must unconditionally leave the Azerbaijani lands; this
conflict seriously impedes provision of security in Europe, and the
international community should intensify its efforts for the problem
to be solved soon. Azerbaijan welcomes the Romanian position in this
relation, and believe the stance of the official Bucharest will
remain unchangeable in the future, Chairman Murtuz Alasgarov said.
Having thanked the Speaker for the warm meeting, Ambassador Nikolae
Ureke stated that his country is also very interested in development
of relations with Azerbaijan. Today, we are widely cooperating in
political, cultural, scientific and educational spheres, but our
trade relations are not on a due level, he said.
The Ambassador noted that there are good opportunities to increase
commodity turnover between the two countries. Along with energy
sphere, according to him, there are wide opportunities for
development of agriculture and other sectors in Azerbaijan, and the
Romanian businessmen could invest in these spheres, as well. Mr.
Nikolae Ureke announced as well that Romanian President Ion Iliyesku
had invited Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to visit Bucharest, and
that the invitation had been accepted by Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Prior to
the visit, which is expected in October this year, a sitting of the
Azerbaijan-Romania intergovernmental commission will be held, the
Ambassador said.
Touching on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,
Mr. Ureke said that his country resolutely support Azerbaijan’s
stance in the matter. The Nagorno-Karabakh problem shall be settled
on the basis of the international legal norms and principles of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, he stressed.
Then, MM Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov and Romanian Ambassador Nikolae
Ureke exchanged vies on a number of other issues of mutual interest.