POLITICS
AZERI SPEAKER MEETS SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER
Baku, 18 September (AZERTAC). Visiting Switzerland, Azerbaijani delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov yesterday met head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Swiss Foreign Minister) Micheline Calmy-Rey.
The meeting discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest.
Swiss minister said her country is keen on cooperation with Azerbaijan. She said preparation works are underway for expected visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Switzerland in October.
Calmy-Rey pointed out her country attaches great importance to this visit.
Touching upon Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Swiss minister said her country supports Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.
She noted the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is acting as a mediator in Turkish-Armenian talks.
Azerbaijani Speaker thanked the Swiss government for supporting Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. He said Turkey closed its borders with Armenia since the latter occupied Azerbaijan`s lands. The Speaker said the problem remains unsolved as Armenia ignores resolutions of international and regional organizations. He stated Azerbaijan does not wish to interfere in domestic affairs of any country, including Turkey and Armenia, “however borders between these two countries must be open after the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are released.” The Speaker said opening of borders before the occupied regions are released will not only contradict Azerbaijan`s national interests but also stand in the way of ensuring peace and security in the Southern Caucasus.
Talking about bilateral relations, Asadov praised current level of cooperation in various fields between the two countries, adding ‘there are a great potential to further develop it.’