Wilfried Martens says he was impressed by tolerance in Azerbaijan

The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, concluded a 4-day visit to the south Caucasus republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan. In Georgia, he visited Tbilisi and Batumi where he had meetings with President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Nika Gilauri, President of Parliament David Bakradze, and other senior figures from the government, the parliament, and the UNM party (an observer member of the EPP).

In Azerbaijan, President Martens presented the Azeri edition of his political autobiography 'Europe: Struggle, I Overcome' in the presence of leading government officials, parliamentarians, political parties, academics, diplomats and civil society representatives. He also gave a lecture on European integration to Azeri students and young leaders of YAP. Furthermore, President Martens also had a very fruitful meeting with the leadership of the muslim, Christian orthodox, and jewish faiths. Finally, the EPP President met with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

"My visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan was particularly fruitful since I had the opportunity to explain the importance of implementing the Eastern Partnership and, though this implementation, the adoption of European values and norms. Georgia, of course, is leading way for the entire south Caucasus region, thanks to the brave reforms of President Saakashvili," President Martens stated.

"In Azerbaijan, I had a very fruitful meeting with President Aliyev where we discussed the development of common EU-Azerbaijan projects in the field of energy supply which, in the near future, will contribute significantly to Europe's energy security. We also exchanged views on the implementation of a number of necessary reforms in the economic, social and political fields. In this respect, I stressed that these reforms must be elaborated and implemented in a close cooperation with the European Union and with international organisations, mainly the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe," the EPP President underlined.

"I was also impressed by the tolerance and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the different religions and their communities; in this respect, Azerbaijan is an example," the EPP President added.


/Today.Az/