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BAKU: EU wants to play positive role in settlement of NK conflict

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  • BAKU: EU wants to play positive role in settlement of NK conflict

    AzerTag, Azerbaijan
    March 22 2004

    EUROPEAN UNION WANTS TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN SETTLEMENT OF
    ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

    PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES EU SPECIAL
    REPRESENTATIVE FOR SOUTHERN CAUCASUS
    [March 22, 2004, 22:18:57]

    President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a
    delegation led by European Union's Special Representative for the
    Southern Caucasus Heiki Talvitie at the Presidential Place, March 22.


    Welcoming the guests sincerely, Head of State Ilham Aliyev expressed
    satisfaction with deepening the cooperation between the European
    Union and Azerbaijan. He pointed out that the policy of integration
    into the European structures is a strategic choice of Azerbaijan, and
    the country would be dedicated to this policy in future. `The joint
    programs the European Union and Azerbaijan have been implementing for
    the last years, and those to be realized in the future let us say
    that we will be closer to each other' the President said.

    President Ilham Aliyev touched upon his meetings during the recent
    conference in Bratislava describing that with European Union's
    Commissioner Gunter Verheugen as positive.

    The Head of State noted he was pleased with the fact that the
    European Union lately attached special attention to settlement of the
    Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He described the
    initial steps taken as promising. `We welcome these steps, and we
    would like the European Union to be more actively engaged in this
    problem.'

    Pointing out the unwillingness of the Armenian Armed forces to
    release the occupied territories, President Ilham Aliyev said
    Azerbaijan's position was that the conflict could be settled only on
    the base of the international legal norms, and expressed hope that
    the international community would approach the issue exactly from
    this standpoint.

    President Ilham Aliyev also pointed out other important issues of
    mutual interest: `I think the beginning of the dialogue on energy
    sphere is very important fact, and we are ready for that,' he said.
    Mr. Ilham Aliyev especially emphasized that in a few years Azerbaijan
    would turn into very important country for European consumers.

    Turning back to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
    Nagorno-Karabakh, the Head of State mentioned that it threatened
    stability in the region and impeded regional cooperation and
    integration of the Southern Caucasus countries into the European
    family. `I hope the international community will express its fair
    stance in relation to this issue, and the problem will be finally
    solved,' President Ilham Aliyev concluded.

    Having thanked the President of Azerbaijan for the sincere meeting,
    Mr. Heiki Talvitie let him know that he had visited the grave of
    nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. `His bright memory
    will live in our hearts forever,' he said.

    The EU's Special Representative noted that the President Ilham
    Aliyev's Program of Social and Economic Development of the country
    had aroused keen interest in Europe.

    Touching upon Azerbaijan-European Union relationship, the guest
    pointed out the significance of President Ilham Aliyev's meeting with
    EU Commissioner in Bratislava.

    Speaking of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
    Nagorno-Karabakh, Mr. Heiki Talvitie said that his mandate included
    rendering assistance to Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Minsk group, and
    that he would be actively involved in the process. `I believe the
    European Union is able to play its positive role in the problem's
    resolution,' he stressed.

    ***

    Present at the meeting were Head of Azerbaijan delegation to the
    European Union, Ambassador Arif Mamadov, Ambassador of Germany in
    Baku Klaus Grevlich and other officials.
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