President of Azerbaijan ends his visit to Bucharest - UPDATED

April 4, 20:22

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva, visiting Bucharest for participation in the NATO summit, visited Heydar Aliyev's park in the Romanian capital.

They put flowers to Heydar Aliyev's memorial in the park.

Thus, President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Romania ended and he returned to Azerbaijan.

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17:36

A joint session of the heads of states and governments of the non-member-states of NATO, which participate in the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) was held in Bucharest on April 3.

APA reports with reference to Azertag that the meeting included heads of states and governments, President of Afghanistan Khamid Karzay, UN Secretary General Pan Gi Mun, chairman of European Commission Jose Manuel Barrozo, representatives of the World Bank and Japanese government.

NATO secretary general Hoop Scheffer noted during the meeting that through 7 years Afghanistan has made serious restoration and carried out constructive actvity, strengthened security and regulation institutes.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also spoke of the active participation of Azerbaijani peacekeepers in the international anti-terror operations, country's assistance to securing peace and stability in Afghanistan.

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11:54

The heads of states and governments of the member-states of North Atlantic Council have adopted a final declaration of the NATO Bucharest summit.

APA reports that the 43rd paragraph of the document, consisting of 50 articles, focuses on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

"We, the heads of states and governments of the member-states of the North Atlantic Alliances, are concerned with continuation of regional conflicts in the South Caucasus region and Moldova.

Our peoples recognize the territorial integruty, sovereignty and independence of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova. Considering these principles, we support efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution of these regional conflicts", the document says.

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10:34

Novosti-Azerbaijan report with reference to the press secretariat of the President of Azeraijan that President Ilham Aliyev met with Latvian President Valdis Zatler in Bucharest on Thursday.

The meeting participant stressed bilateral development of relations in the politicial, economic and other spheres. The Presidents stressed successful cooperation of Azerbaijan and Latvia as regarding the integration with Euro-Atlantic structures and in the framework of international organizations.

The presidents especially singled out the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Latvia in the sphere of provision of European energy safety.

President I.Aliyev is taking part in NATO summit in Bucharest.

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April 3 20:19

Day.Az reports with reference to AzerTaj that a banquet was arranged in the parliamentary building of Bucharest under the leadership of Yaap de Hoop Scheffer with participation of the heads of states and governments of the alliance member-states.

NATO Secretary General Yaap de Hoop Scheffer made an opening speech at the event.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev who was the second to deliver speech stressed the economic development and the growth of our country, expansion of Azerbaijan's cooperation in the integration with Euroatlantic structures.

Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Aliyev reminded that the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and policy of ethnic cleansing resulted in turning of over 1,000,000 of our compatriots into refugees.

I.Aliyev noted that the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be achieved only on basis of the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The president stressed active participation of our countries in the issues, regarding the energy security of Europe, Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins.

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19:30

"NATO countries have supported Macedonia's accession to the alliance", said President of Armenia Trayan Basesku in a conclusion of the session of NATO Council

He noted that Macedonia has already been invited to NATO and there is no need to hold an additional summit for the purpose.

The Romanian President noted that Ukraine and Georgia are on the stage of an intesive dualogue and have not yet fulfilled the MAP criteria. Moreover, in case Serbia appeals, talks will start on its membership in NATO.

"The NATO leaders discussed the strategic importance of the Black Sea region and undertook the due resolution. The problem of energy safety was another issue, discussed by the NATO Council.

Touching upon the Kosovo precedent, the North Atlantic alliance decidde to add a formula on NATO's support of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the final document", he noted.

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18:45

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, attending the NATO summit, is expected to meet with Latvian President Valdis Zatler, on Thursday, Novosti-Azerbaijan reports with reference to a local TV channel.

It should be noted that President of Azerbaijan has already met with President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili in the framework of NATO summit and the two leaders discussed cooperation in political, economic and regional sectors, as well as prospects of bilateral relations.

President of Azerbaijan also met with the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and discussed peaceful resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

It should be noted that on Thursday Ilham Aliyev will also participate at a joint session of the representatives of the countries, which are not the members of NATO, but which support security in Afghanistan.

A number of meetings are expected to be held in the framework of Azerbaijani President's visit to Bucharest.

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14:15

US President George Bush declared possible joint use of Gabala radar station at the NATO summit in Bucharest, Novosti-Azerbaijan reports with reference to Azerbaijan's official mass media.

Speaking about US intention to dislocate missile defense systems in Poland and Czechia, Georgia Bush called on Russia for joint cooperation in the sphere of missile defense.

"Vladimir Putin offers new opportunities in Azerbaijan and in Russia. I think, these proposals can be applied in the sphere of radar control", G.Bush noted,

The United States intend to dislocate a number of missile defense facilities in Eastern Europe, explaining it with possible threat by Iran. There is a plan to dislocate ten intercept missiles and missile defense radar in Czechia.

Russia, which is against the US plans to dislocate missile defense radars in Czechia and countermissile in Poland, offered the conjoint use of Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan and a station for missile launching prevention, constructed in Armavir, Russia's south.

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10:10

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in Bucharest by their reqyest, Novruz Mamedov, chief of department of external ties of the administration of Azerbaijani President told reporters.

He said that during the tense meeting Ilham Aliyev stated his firm position connected with the talks on the peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Also expressing his opinion regarding the resolution on the situation on the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, adopted by the United Nations, the head of state demanded explanations from the co-chairs, regarding the position, taken by the countries, they represent, including the United States, France and Russia, during voting.

In an attempt to substantiate and explain their position, the co-chairs voiced support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The mediators will declare their position in a special declaration, which they are going to make public, according to AzerTaj.

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April 2 19:49

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with the co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier (France), Matthew Bryza (the nited States) and Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) in the framework of NATO summit in Bucharest.

APA reports that the meeting participants discusses issues, connected with the current state of the negotiation process on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

By the information, provided by French co-chair B.Fassier, the mediators will meet with Serzh Sarkissyan, Prime Minister and newly elected President of Armenia.

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18:55

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is expected to meet with oSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Bernard Fassier (France), Matthew Bryza (United States) and Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) in the framework of NATO summit in Bucharest.

The due announcement was made by French co-chair B.Fassier.

He also noted that on April 3 the mediators will meet with Serzh Sarkissyan, Prime Minister and newly elected President of Armenia.

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18:27

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with President of Georgia at the NATO summit in Bucharest.

The heads of states discussed a number of important moments.

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18:09

Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu addressing the event said that security umbrella of NATO on Balkan countries and Black Sea region will expand democratic reforms and bring economic and social stability to the region. The Prime Minister noted that Romania supported integration of Croatia, Albania and Macedonia into NATO and close relations between Georgia, Ukraine and NATO.

“It will be a signal for strengthening relations between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia and cooperation with Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia”, he said.

To him, NATO can defeat separatism and nationalism with the help of critic energies in the region. The Prime Minister added that NATO specialists made effort to find concrete means to strengthen energy security since Riga Summit in 2006 and the results of these investigations would be made clear in Bucharest Summit.

“Europe needs for common and stable approach in this field. Taking into account of growing demands, Europe should diversify and secure energy recourses, suppliers, and transportation corridors.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will leave for NATO Bucharest Summit on April 3. He will attend the assembly of Russia-NATO Council within the framework of the Summit. The assembly will discuss the prospects of integration of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, establishment of antimissile system and ongoing development in Kosovo.

“I hope NATO will open its doors for Albania, Croatia and Macedonia,” President of Romania Traian Basescu said in NATO Bucharest summit. He said that Serbian people continued to pay for the mistakes made by others on their behalf.

“Democracy’s winning is very important in Serbia”, he said.
Romania’s President underlined that they supported Ukraine and Georgia’s joining NATO Membership Action Plan.

“We also support NATO’s cooperation with Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan”, he said.

Traian Basescu said NATO-Russia relations were of great importance in terms of Euro Atlantic security.

NATO summit started on the level of the working groups at 18.30 on April 1.

U.S President George Bush addressing NATO Bucharest Summit called Afghanistan the most ambitious mission for NATO. “We cannot lose Afghanistan. If we do not defeat the terrorists in Afghanistan, we will face them on our soil”. Bush said historic decision would be passed at the Bucharest summit on Croatia, Albania and Macedonia. “We will enlarge the North Atlantic alliance to allow the Circle of freedom to cover the three new Balkan countries”. The US president urged to welcome Georgia and Ukraine into NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) and said door was open for the other countries too. “My country’s position is clear - NATO should welcome Georgia and Ukraine into the Membership Action Plan”. George Bush stated that the establishment of missile defense system was very important for Europe. To him, Iran prepares to produce long-range missile, the missile can be reached to Europe and Romania. The President invited Russia to the strategic cooperation on missile defense. “Russia is not our enemy. We are looking forward to a new security relationship with Russia and our goal is not a mutual disposition. We do not establish antimissile system to defend ourselves from Russia. Newly-established NATO should not defend us from Russia, because “cold war” has ended”, he said. The U.S President called Russia and NATO to develop strategic cooperation at high level and proposed to use the bases in Post –Soviet territory in European missile defense.

New antimissile system does not cover NATO members –Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Amalgamation of U.S-made system with NATO system will be discussed in Bucharest Summit.

Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, Romanian Prime Minister addressing the Summit welcomed all attendees. He conducted discussions on “NATO’s door: is it open or close?” in the first half of the day. Mircha Jeoana, Romanian former Foreign Minister, member of Senate, Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg, member of German Bundestag, Bruce Jackson, head and author of project “Transitional Democracies”, Valdis Zatlers, Latvian President addressed the event. After dinner, Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General will deliver a speech. The hearings will be held on NATO’s peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. Stephen Harper, Canadian Prime Minister, Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan will address the summit. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babajan, Toomas Ilves, Estonian President, Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Foreign Minister will make speech at 16.30 by local time. Today’s working day of the summit will end with official cocktail.

/APA/