Azerbaijan, OSCE mull further co-op

Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament, Ogtay Asadov has today met OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara to discuss prospects for relationship between the country and the organization.

Mr. Asadov said Azerbaijan attached great importance to development of relations with the OSCE. “Azerbaijani parliamentarians are actively participating in meetings of the OSCE,” he added.

Asadov briefed the Chairperson-in-Office on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, expressing regret that official Yerevan does not honor dispute-related resolutions adopted by international organizations, including the UN, PACE and European Parliament.
“The conflict must be settled as soon as possible on the basis of norms of international law. We believe that due to efforts of the international community Armenia will stop its aggressive policy.”

Mr. Asadov also praised Azerbaijan-Ukraine relationship, saying it had reached the level of strategic partnership. He underscored the role of reciprocal visits of both countries` presidents in development of bilateral ties. “About 120 documents have been signed between the two countries which make up a legal basis for our bilateral relationship.” The Speaker added trade turnover between the two countries had increased in comparison with previous years.
Mr. Asadov also stressed the role of parliaments in expansion of relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine. He praised the fact that parliamentarians of Azerbaijan and Ukraine share the same position on principal issues. The parliament Speaker also stressed the importance of relations within GUAM and Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.

Mr. Kozhara said the OSCE put special emphasis on cooperation with Azerbaijan. He noted that as Chairperson-in-Office he intends to take real steps to contribute to strengthening of the OSCE `s activity. The Chairperson-in-Office also vowed to spare no efforts to contribute to settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.


/AzerTAc/