Baku, 23 September (AZERTAC). As part of his visit to New-York, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov held a number of meetings there on Wednesday.

During a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Liberman, Mammadyarov discussed with him the current state of and prospects for Azerbaijan-Israel relationship, cooperation between Azerbaijani and Jewish communities in the United States and regional issues. Mammadyarov also told of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mammadyarov met European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner to discuss relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner said EU attaches huge importance to deepening cooperation with Azerbaijan. She noted both Azerbaijan and EU benefit from bilateral ties in the framework of cooperation programs, especially the Eastern Partnership initiative.

She underlined Azerbaijan plays an important role in ensuring energy security of Europe. According to her, EU decided to sign an association agreement with Azerbaijan.

Mammadyarov, in turn, praised the current level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU. Touching upon regional security, the Minister stressed the necessity of resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.

In response, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission “is ready to contribute to settling the dispute”.

Mammadyarov also met with his Austrian counterpart Michael Spindelegger.

The talks focused on how to deepen bilateral cooperation in political, economic and humanitarian spheres. Michael Spindelegger said his country attaches significant importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan. He added the Austrian government intends to open an embassy in Azerbaijan. Spindelegger also pointed out Austria was interested in enhancing cooperation with Azerbaijan in the non-energy sector, as well.

For his part, Mammadyarov underscored the necessity of conducting regular political consultations between the two countries` foreign ministries.

The sides also discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and Austria within international organizations, especially the United Nations.

Elmar Mammadyarov also met his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu to exchange views on bilateral cooperation and the current state of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement.

The Azerbaijani minister also met Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal Joao Gomes Cravinho. They discussed intensifying contacts between the two countries` Foreign Ministries, conducting regular political consultations and opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the framework of Eastern Partnership program.

Mammadyarov met his Estonian counterpart Urmas Paet to discuss the current state of cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting they signed an agreement on cooperation in information and communication technologies between Azerbaijan and Estonia. The ministers stressed the agreement would contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation in ICT sector.

Mammadyarov also met U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar. The discussions dealth with energy cooperation between the two countries and regional projects.

The Azerbaijani minister also met his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez.

The sides hailed the current level of bilateral cooperation. They stressed the importance of continuing political dialogue between the two countries and cooperation within international organizations, particularly the UN.