Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic Murtuz Alaskarov received delegation of the European Union led by the EU Deputy State Secretary on foreign affairs Ms. Margherita Boniver, July 8.Congratulating the Italian delegation with the presidency term at the European Union, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament said that after conclusion in 1996 the Treaty ‘On partnership and cooperation’ between Azerbaijan and European Union the relations between the Country and this Organization have accelerated. Azerbaijan is keen in development of these relations and in integration of to Europe. After regaining its state independence Azerbaijan marches forward on the path of democratic reforms. Abolishment of high penalty, bringing the laws in compliance with the European standards, ensuring freedom of speech and press are visual evidence to this. Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament updated the guests on the activity of Parliament, on the group of cooperation with the European Union. Touching upon the development of Azerbaijan, Speaker Murtuz Alaskarov said that Azerbaijan is the most developed country of the region. But aggressive position and keeping by Armenia under occupation the Azerbaijani lands seriously impedes development of the Country. IN addition, double standard position of the international organizations and states delays settlement of the problem. Despite this, Azerbaijan adheres settlement of the conflict in the frame of international laws. On the contrary, Azerbaijan keeps the right to liberate its lands by other means. Head of the delegation Ms. Margherita Boniver thanked for provided information, stressing that the key goal of the visit was to enhance the cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU. Noting that she will pay another visit to Azerbaijan as a member of the top structure of the European Union, Ms. Boniver said that European Union adheres settlement of all the regional conflicts in the frame of the territorial integrity and peacefully.Then, Speaker Murtuz Alaskarov informed the guests on the coming presidential elections, activity of the Central Electoral Commission, responded other questions.***On the same day the EU’s delegation was received by Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizadeh. Welcoming the guests, Premier noted that Azerbaijan is developing its cooperation with the EU and interested in still more integration into the European community. He expressed his gratitude to the EU leadership for assistance in implementation of the economic projects. Speaking on socio-political stability in the country, economic growth, the head of the Azerbaijani Government described the unsolved Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Garabakh conflict as the country’s sorest point.Head of the delegation Ms. Margherita Boniver expressed her gratitude for the warm reception and detailed information, and said that the European Union is keen in expansion of cooperation with the Southern Caucasus countries, and resolution of the conflict over Nagorno Garabakh. The sides also have a thorough exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.The reception was attended by Vice-Premier Abid Sharifov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy to Azerbaijan Margarita Costa.***On July 8, vice president of the Council of Europe and Bureau member Ilham Aliyev received the delegation of the European Union led by the EU Deputy State Secretary on foreign affairs Ms. Margherita Boniver.Greeting the guests, Mr. Ilham Aliyev reminded his last year meeting with Ms. Margherita Boniver, expressing his confidence that presidency of Italy at the EU would be successful. Noting that the enhancing of the relations of Azerbaijan with European Union is a part of the Country’s integration into the European family, M. Ilham Aliyev said that the Republic had been for ten years on this way and the process would go ahead. ‘Our cooperation with EU in numerous field, in particular in the field of energy and other spheres of economy, is on the high level’, the orator underlined. Giving a high assessment to the social-political, economic and legal reforms conducted in the Country under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev, Mr. Ilham Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan was reliable country for foreign investment and the investment flow would increase in future. ‘Azerbaijan’s accomplishments are, in the whole, of great significance for development and stability in the entire region’, he emphasized.In the course of the meeting, Ilham Aliyev updated the guests on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the terrible plight of over one million of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs ousted from their homelands. Noting the necessity of raising the efforts by the international organizations for fair solution of the conflict, Ilham Aliyev appreciated the activities of the European Union in this field.Expressing his gratitude for warm reception, Ms. Margherita Boniver stressed the importance of Azerbaijan for the European Union. The delegation started its visit to the South Caucasus just from Azerbaijan and it is not an eventual fact, she underscored. The guests interested in transportation of the Caspian energy resources to Europe, in the prospects of development of other fields of economy. Azerbaijan plays a significant role in ensuring of peace and security in the South Caucasus, the guests said.Margarita Costa, ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan participated at the reception.