Presidents of Azerbaijan and Estonia sign joint declaration - UPDATED

18:15

During the meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves stressed importance of Azerbaijan in ensuring the energy security of the European Union, reports the press service for the Estonian President, according to Interfax-Azerbaijan.

"The Caspian region and Azerbaijan as a leading state of this region play an important role in ensuring energy security of the European Union", the press service reports.

According to the Estonian President, "it has become especially clear in the light of the Russian-Ukrainian gas conflict which proved the importance of diverfication of EU energy channels.

Therefore, we are highly appreciating Azerbaijan's readiness to take part in the implementation of the projects of the energy "South corridor" - Nabucco gas pipeline and Odessa-Brody-Plotsk pipeline", noted the Estonian President.

In turn, the Azerbaijani President noted that in case with the Nabucco gas pipeline, it is necessary to clarify the issue of participation and responsibility of all sides.

In turn, Ilves noted: "The European Union is confident that the success of your eastern initiative depends on the readiness and intention of each state to become closer to the community and its values".

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16:16

President Ilham Aliyev highly evaluated Estonia's position in the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

By results of the meeting the Presidents made a joint statement.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves noted that the Karabakh conflict must be settled peacefully in the framework of international norms and rights and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani President also noted that the visit of the Estonian president will promote the development of bilateral relations in the political, economic and other spheres.

The Estonian president, in turn, noted that the business forum, scheduled in the framework of the visit, will promote strengthening of bilateral relations. He also especially stressed Azerbaijan's role in ensuring global energy security.

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14:49

During the meeting, the Heads of State expressed pleasure with the successful development of relations in political, economic and other fields, pointing to good potential for further expansion of bilateral ties.

The Presidents emphasized importance of the current visit in terms of development of bilateral ties and expressed confidence in closer relationships in the years ahead.

They also had a comprehensive exchange of views on a number of other issues of mutual interest.

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13:28

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is holding a private meeting with Estonian President Tomas Hendrik Ilves, paying an official visit to Azerbaijan in Baku, reports the press secretariat of the Azerbaijani President, according to Novosti-Azerbaijan.

Later the heads of the states will hold an expanded meeting with participation of the government members. The meeting participants will discuss prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

According to sources, an official reception of Estonian President Toomas Ilves and his spouse Eveline by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva was held before the meeting.

The visit of the Estonian president to Azerbaijan will end on January 15.

/Day.Az/