President Ilham Aliyev: Relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania develop successfully, and cover a wide range of spheres - UPDATE - PHOTOS

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania gave a joint press conference following their private meeting, Azerbaijani president’s official website reported.

President Aliyev expressed confidence the Lithuanian leader's visit would be a success. The Head of State said they had interesting discussions on bilateral and regional issues, adding "this exchange of views will help better understand the ongoing processes and the problems existing in the region". The President praised "the intensive political dialogue between our countries", saying Azerbaijan and Lithuania also enjoy active cooperation within international organizations.

"Lithuania has always supported Azerbaijan's policy of European integration. I believe Mrs. Grybauskaite's visit will contribute to strengthening our political relations."

President Aliyev said: "We have better potential in the economic sphere". He stressed the necessity of developing the reciprocal visits by the two countries` businessmen. The President also highlighted energy, transport and security issues.

On the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Aliyev expressed regret over the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group which mediates between the sides. He said the co-chairs had failed to make any progress in the peace talks. The President said a recent report by an OSCE fact-finding mission highlighted the destruction of the whole infrastructure and also the illegal resettlement in the Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. "The current situation is a major source of threat to the regional stability, and the issue must be solved only and only on the basis of international legal norms."

President Grybauskaite praised the economic relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania. She said they discussed the bilateral issues and Azerbaijan's relations with Europe, and also exchanged views on how to solve common problems through OSCE.

The Lithuanian leader said her country was ready to share its experience with Azerbaijan in conducting membership negotiations with the European Union.

President Grybauskaite praised the carrying out of an anti-corruption program in Azerbaijan, adding the issue was on the agenda in her country too.

The Lithuanian leader also praised Azerbaijan's contribution to ensuring Europe's energy security. She said Azerbaijan was of great importance to Europe in diversifying the transportation routes of natural gas and other energy carriers.

On the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Grybauskaite said she supported a peaceful solution to the problem. Lithuanian leader also touched upon the bilateral educational cooperation, saying her country was ready to implement a number of joint projects.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday hosted an official dinner in honor of visiting President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, Azerbaijani President’s official website reported.

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Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Dalia Grybauskaitė of Lithuania yesterday met in private, Azerbaijani President’s official website reported.

President Aliyev said: "Mrs. Grybauskaite, welcome. I`m very pleased to see you in Azerbaijan. This is your first visit to our country. I`m confident the visit will be very successful and we will have very interesting discussions, because the relations between our countries are developing very successfully and cover a wide range of spheres. I`m also confident that your visit play important role in strengthening of our relations and deepening our political dialogue and economic cooperation. And, of course, we will discuss a range of regionally-important issues. I`m sure we will have successful results. Once again I welcome you to Azerbaijan, and express my hope that your visit will be a success."

President Grybauskaite said: "Thank you for your invitation. Several months ago when we had a talk, I decided that I would visit Azerbaijan as the head of the state which chairs the OSCE. Given that we have good economic relations there is a lot of issues that we can discuss and a lot of work that we can do. We can benefit from your talks with Europe, from the contribution through the Twinning program and an experience exchange in carrying out negotiations. We are open to carry out an experience exchange with you. Thank you."

After the meeting they made statements for the press.

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02.IV.2011

President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite today has been given an official welcome to Azerbaijan.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Lithuanian President at the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President of Lithuania Mrs. Dalia Grybauskaite was welcomed by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.

The Presidents inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honor as an orchestra played the national anthems of Lithuania and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani state and government officials were introduced to President Dalia Grybauskaite, while members of the Lithuanian delegation to President Ilham Aliyev.

The Presidents posed for photographs.


/AzerTAc, Trend/

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