Azerbaijani, Georgian foreign ministers sign plan of consultations of 2009

The ministers discussed bilateral relations and situation of the ties between the countries in the economic, humanitarian and cultural spheres and signed Plan of Consultations for 2009.
The foreign ministers held a briefing and emphasized the usefulness of their talks.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister reminded about the position of Azerbaijan in the negotiation process over the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. He said Azerbaijan stated for many times that it supported peaceful solution to the conflict. Mammadyarov said solution to the conflict could open large prospects for the development of political, economic and security relations in the region. “Azerbaijan will not allow the establishing of another country in its territory. Armenians must understand this reality”.
Answering the question about the memorandum of initiatives signed between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Russia’s Gazprom, Mammadyarov said taken into consideration the economic crisis, the memorandum kept all opportunities open and saved the priorities.

Answering the APA correspondent’s question about the OSCE French co-chair Bernard Fassier’s last statement, Mammadyarov said the statement was issued in Vienna. “This process will be realized phase-by-phase and will find its solution within the solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. At first we have to create an atmosphere. The main condition is that Armenian forces should be withdrawn from the occupied areas, returning of refugees to their homeland should be in the focus of attention and both communities should be provided with condition for peaceful co-existence. If we can develop this atmosphere, we will view other issues as well. The time will show that it is better solution for the Armenian community too”.

In his statement in Vienna, Fassier said that Nagorno Karabakh should be returned to Azerbaijan, displaced persons should return home and only after that the issue of status could be discussed in 5-10 or 15 years.

Mammadyarov met with Georgian Prime Minister Nika Glauri and President Mikhail Saakashvili.

On Thursday, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan will meet with the Azerbaijanis living in Marneuli Region of Georgia.

/APA/