Baku, September 21, AZERTAC

The EU is keen on establishing excellent relations with Azerbaijan, said head of the delegation of EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Sajjad Karim from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group as he met with the Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament Ogtay Asadov.

Hailing the importance of the visit, Asadov noted that it would contribute to restoring relations between Azerbaijan`s parliament and the European Parliament, which suffered a major setback a year ago. He said the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee is the only platform for cooperation on the bilateral basis at the level of legislative bodies. He underlined the Azerbaijani Parliament's interest advancing ties with the EU in both bilateral and multilateral formats. "However, the development of relations based on mutual respect and equality is of pivotal importance. The relationship that features biased resolutions and attempts to put pressure on Azerbaijan is unacceptable for us. Our cooperation must be based on mutual respect and equal treatment," Asadov added.

The Parliament Speaker hailed Azerbaijan's contribution to its energy cooperation with the European Union, saying “a necessary political will has been put forward for the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project”.

Deputy speaker of the Milli Majlis Valeh Alasgarov spoke of Azerbaijan-EU relations. Recalling the European Parliament's biased decisions against Azerbaijan, Valeh Alasgarov noted that this kind of behavior did not serve the interests of the peoples of Azerbaijan and Europe. He said that double standards within certain organizations as well as among the members of the European Parliament towards the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict did not contribute to regional development and peace.

Head of the delegation Sajjad Karim from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group praised the negotiations they held here. He noted that both sides had obligations to their people. "That's why in order to advance, without going back to those in the past, we must conduct sincere dialogues and look forward to the future with hope. There are common values that unite both Azerbaijani and European peoples. Azerbaijan is an important country for Europe and we are keen on establishing excellent relations with this country," Sajjad Karim said.

Member of the European Parliament Iveta Grigule hailed Europe's interest in cooperation with Azerbaijan and apologized on behalf of the group, which she represented for the European Parliament's biased resolutions on Azerbaijan. She expressed her hope that cases of such kind would not be repeated in the coming years. "The interests of both sides require this," she added.

Head of the Administration of Azerbaijan Milli Majlis Safa Mirzayev, chairmen of the parliamentary committee Samad Seyidov, Fuad Muradov, head of the country`s delegation to the European Union Fuad Isgandarov, head of EU Delegation in Azerbaijan Malena Mard and other officials were also present at the meeting.