President of Azerbaijan receives participants of international round-table meeting "Azerbaijan in 21st century: strategy of success"

The President pointed out the importance of such exchange of views for strengthening and expanding of cooperation among countries. With respect to the part of the meeting dealt with Azerbaijan-Russia relationship, he said bilateral relations between the two countries are based on the principles of good neighborhood and strategic partnership, and described them as dynamically moving forward. "Azerbaijan-Russia relations are important for the two countries as well as for development of Caucasus and the Caspian region in general," President Ilham Aliyev said.

He emphasized that there are strong will of both countries` leaders and strong legal basis for the bilateral relations to successfully develop in the future as well.

Noting the regional cooperation is closely bound up with security issues, the Azerbaijani leader reminded that Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan followed by ethnic cleansing resulted in occupation of twenty percent of the country`s territory and emergence of over a million refugees and internally displaced persons.

"Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan has been violated. Armenia continues to ignore four UN Security Council resolutions demanding its withdrawal from the occupied Azerbaijani territories."

However, the President added, there are some facts giving hope of peaceful resolution of the dispute. The Head of State praised the Declaration aimed at continuing the talks, which has recently been signed by the presidents in Moscow during a meeting initiated by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

President Ilham Aliyev said peace can be ensured in Caucasus only after liberation of Azerbaijan`s occupied territories. He said the problem needs more thorough analysis.

The President said the international round-table meeting is also of particular importance in this aspect since it creates good opportunities for its participants to closely familiarize themselves with Azerbaijan`s position and the conflict`s history.

Touching on democratic processes taking place in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev described them as a success. He said political and economic reforms are being simultaneously conducted in the country, adding this is one of the critical conditions for successes achieved.
He said the country has also had success in building a constitutional state through conducting substantial reforms and applying democratic principles.

Sergey Vinokurov, Head of the Department for interregional and cultural ties with foreign countries under the Russian President, and Alexei Ostrovsky, Head of the State Duma Committee on CIS affairs and relations with fellow countrymen, also spoke at the meeting.
Alexei Ostrovsky said Azerbaijan-Russia relations are developing successfully in all areas. He said nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev greatly contributed to strengthening the bilateral ties.

The guests praised Azerbaijan`s rapid economic development. They also pointed out the importance of Azerbaijan-Russia relations.

/Day.Az/