Azerbaijani president meets with European Commissioner - UPDATED

29.04.09 10:09

Barroso said his talks with the Azerbaijani leader were fruitful, adding the European Union regards the country as its important partner.

He praised Azerbaijan`s economic development, and said the country also expands its cooperation with the European Union.

“Azerbaijan has big oil and gas potential and the European Union places particular emphasis to cooperation in this field,” said Barroso.

The European Commission chief also praised Azerbaijan`s potential as a transit country.

President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan and the European Union enjoy a high level of energy cooperation, stressing the role of a joint Memorandum of Understanding on energy partnership.
The President also spoke of Azerbaijan`s economic progress.

He said the country initiated great oil and gas projects, adding “we enjoy successful cooperation with the European Union in this regard”.

President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands where it conducted an ethnic cleansing policy, making million people refugees and IDPs,” said the Azerbaijani leader.

“Armenia continues to reject UN Security Council resolutions.”
Following their statements, President Ilham Aliyev and Jose Manuel Barroso responded to questions from journalists.

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28.04.09 18:09

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with European Commission Chairman Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels on April 28, AzTv state television reported.

The president is on a business visit to Belgium.

/Trend News/