European Parliament-Azerbaijan relations enter a new stage - MEP

By Azernews

By Aygul Salmanova 

The chairman of Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov met with the president of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists Group, member of the European Parliament Jan Zahradil, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan on December 18.

The meeting was attended by Co-chairman of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Javanshir Feyziyev, chairman of the United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev and other officials.

While making remarks at the event, Zahradil stated that despite there was certain misunderstanding in the relations between the European Parliament and Azerbaijan in different periods, a new stage started in bilateral relations.

Asadov congratulated Zahradil on his re-election as the head of the Alliance and underscored the importance of exchanging views during last year's meeting.

The Alliance's relations with the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and regular meetings of the members of the Azerbaijani delegation with the representatives of the Alliance in the international organizations were appreciated.

Asadov appreciated the objective position of the Alliance’s members both in PACE and the European Parliament with respect to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is interested in developing all-round cooperation with the EU and its organizations,” he said.

Asadov expressed his assurance that the current visit will be important in terms of further intensification of relations.

Zahradil expressed gratification with the visit to Azerbaijan and the meetings held there.

He said that the Alliance and the European Parliament show great interest in this region of the South Caucasus.

The issues of mutual interests were discussed at the meeting.

The relations between the European Parliament and the Azerbaijani Parliament are conducted within the framework of the Delegation of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in accordance with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements signed in Luxembourg in 1996 and entered into force in 1999.

The Parliamentary Cooperation Committees for three Caucasian states including Azerbaijan were established in 2004. They manage the parliamentary control over the implementation of the agreements and operate as an open platform for debate on issue of common interest.