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MEETING OF PACE'S POLITICAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE COMMENCE IN BAKU
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 12 2006
A meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's
Political Affairs Committee kicked off December 11 at the Park Inn
hotel in Baku.
Opening the event, chairman of the committee Abdulgadir Atesh
expressed gratitude for hospitality, saying that processes in
Azerbaijan, its economic development, integration into European and
Euroatlantic structures are in the center of attention. According
to him, Azerbaijan-CoE relations are strengthening with Azerbaijan
becoming a reliable partner for the organization. The fact that the
event is held in Baku is an evidence of it. PACE as well as Political
Affairs Committee is keen on developing democracy in Azerbaijan and
protecting human rights. He said Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh is a big impediment for the development of Azerbaijan,
and PACE supports peaceful resolution of the problem.
Chairman of the Committee expressed his opinion on the laws related
to the human rights and freedoms and other issues.
Then, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov gave an insight
into the economic situation in Azerbaijan. Minister said economy of
Azerbaijan develops very rapidly; GDP grew by 36 per cent.
Commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and realization
of other large-scale projects boost the country's economic potential.
Kazakhstan's joining BTC project and interest of other countries is
very important for us, he said. Azerbaijan government pays a special
attention to the non-energy sector to achieve sustainable economic
development and avoid "Dutch syndrome". According to him, the share
of the non-energy sector is expected to drastically increase within
a couple of years.
On Azerbaijan's relations with neighboring countries, the Head of
Foreign Office said that Azerbaijan maintains very good relations
with Russia. Trade turnover with Russia has doubled over a year.
Russian markets are very important for selling Azerbaijani agricultural
products.
E. Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan has 12-km border with Turkey. The
countries share the same language, religion and culture. Azerbaijan
and Turkey jointly work to implement large-scale projects.
Minister pointed out Azerbaijan maintains friendly relations with
Iran. Iran supplies Nakhchivan, which is blockaded by Armenia, with
gas and electricity.
Georgia is Azerbaijan's strategic partner. We want this country to
develop and prosper as we do.
E. Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan as a peace-loving nation can
develop relations with Armenia. However, Armenia must first leave
occupied Azerbaijani lands, give up the policy of aggression.
E. Mammadyarov advanced his views on a number of issues concerning
Caspian Sea legal status, GUAM's future activity, so-called referendum
in Nagorno-Karabakh, and situation in Kosovo.
He said the solution to the problems related to the Caspian Sea
status was found. There are no problems among Azerbaijan, Russia and
Kazakhstan as bilateral agreements were signed. However, Iran and
Turkmenistan continue to take non-constructive stand.
The GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development -has
already become an international organization. Member countries approved
the permanent secretariat and budget.
As to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan supports peaceful
resolution of the conflict, Minister said. He pointed out that
so-called referendum was not recognized by the international community.
The meeting was attended by Justice Minister Fikret Mammadov, Interior
Minister Ramil Usubov, Head of the Administration of the Milli Majlis
and other officials.
Then, the meeting was continued behind the closed doors.
The two-day meeting will focus on the human rights and democratic
situation in Europe, threat of using energy supplies as a method of
political pressure, situation in Kosovo and Cechnya and other issues.
The meeting will be continued on December 12.
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 12 2006
A meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's
Political Affairs Committee kicked off December 11 at the Park Inn
hotel in Baku.
Opening the event, chairman of the committee Abdulgadir Atesh
expressed gratitude for hospitality, saying that processes in
Azerbaijan, its economic development, integration into European and
Euroatlantic structures are in the center of attention. According
to him, Azerbaijan-CoE relations are strengthening with Azerbaijan
becoming a reliable partner for the organization. The fact that the
event is held in Baku is an evidence of it. PACE as well as Political
Affairs Committee is keen on developing democracy in Azerbaijan and
protecting human rights. He said Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh is a big impediment for the development of Azerbaijan,
and PACE supports peaceful resolution of the problem.
Chairman of the Committee expressed his opinion on the laws related
to the human rights and freedoms and other issues.
Then, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov gave an insight
into the economic situation in Azerbaijan. Minister said economy of
Azerbaijan develops very rapidly; GDP grew by 36 per cent.
Commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and realization
of other large-scale projects boost the country's economic potential.
Kazakhstan's joining BTC project and interest of other countries is
very important for us, he said. Azerbaijan government pays a special
attention to the non-energy sector to achieve sustainable economic
development and avoid "Dutch syndrome". According to him, the share
of the non-energy sector is expected to drastically increase within
a couple of years.
On Azerbaijan's relations with neighboring countries, the Head of
Foreign Office said that Azerbaijan maintains very good relations
with Russia. Trade turnover with Russia has doubled over a year.
Russian markets are very important for selling Azerbaijani agricultural
products.
E. Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan has 12-km border with Turkey. The
countries share the same language, religion and culture. Azerbaijan
and Turkey jointly work to implement large-scale projects.
Minister pointed out Azerbaijan maintains friendly relations with
Iran. Iran supplies Nakhchivan, which is blockaded by Armenia, with
gas and electricity.
Georgia is Azerbaijan's strategic partner. We want this country to
develop and prosper as we do.
E. Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan as a peace-loving nation can
develop relations with Armenia. However, Armenia must first leave
occupied Azerbaijani lands, give up the policy of aggression.
E. Mammadyarov advanced his views on a number of issues concerning
Caspian Sea legal status, GUAM's future activity, so-called referendum
in Nagorno-Karabakh, and situation in Kosovo.
He said the solution to the problems related to the Caspian Sea
status was found. There are no problems among Azerbaijan, Russia and
Kazakhstan as bilateral agreements were signed. However, Iran and
Turkmenistan continue to take non-constructive stand.
The GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development -has
already become an international organization. Member countries approved
the permanent secretariat and budget.
As to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan supports peaceful
resolution of the conflict, Minister said. He pointed out that
so-called referendum was not recognized by the international community.
The meeting was attended by Justice Minister Fikret Mammadov, Interior
Minister Ramil Usubov, Head of the Administration of the Milli Majlis
and other officials.
Then, the meeting was continued behind the closed doors.
The two-day meeting will focus on the human rights and democratic
situation in Europe, threat of using energy supplies as a method of
political pressure, situation in Kosovo and Cechnya and other issues.
The meeting will be continued on December 12.