Berlin hosts next political consultations between Azerbaijan and Germany
Berlin, March 14 (AZERTAC). The next political consultations between Azerbaijan and Germany have been held in Berlin.
Azerbaijan was represented at the event by a delegation led by deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov.
As part of the consultations the Azerbaijani delegation held meetings with Cornelia Pieper, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Antje Leendertse, special envoy for Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Cornelia Pieper called Azerbaijan an important strategic partner of Germany and Europe. She added Azerbaijan was a reliable security partner of the European Union in the region. Pieper also noted relationship between Azerbaijan and Germany was developing rapidly. “High-level reciprocal visits, opening of German-Azerbaijan Foreign Trade Chamber, interest of German companies in functioning in Azerbaijan, close energy cooperation of Azerbaijan with Germany and European Union prove development of these relations.”
The Secretary of State also praised Azerbaijan`s relationship with Germany in cultural and education spheres.
Khalaf Khalafov, in turn, said there was good potential to expand Azerbaijan-Germany cooperation. He added both countries were interested in expansion of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, education, cultural and healthcare areas. “This cooperation will serve Azerbaijan`s integration into Europe-Atlantic structures.”
According to Khalafov, Azerbaijan`s cooperation with European Union is based on mutual interests. “Energy cooperation with EU contributes to energy security of Europe and regional development processes.” The deputy minister added both EU and Azerbaijan were interested in realization of Southern Gas Corridor. He also noted Azerbaijan contributes to development of energy, transport and communication corridor between West and East.
The sides also discussed Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Pieper said the maintenance of the current status-quo in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was unacceptable.
Khalafov said the reason why the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains unresolved is Armenia`s non-constructive position. He added Armenia must leave the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Khalafov also said the OSCE Minsk group`s mediation efforts to settle the conflict yield no results. He said the EU should increase efforts to contribute to resolve the problem.
As part of the consultations meetings were held with Michael Flügger, deputy head of Department of Foreign Relations, Security Policy and Global Questions of the Federal Foreign Office, Haynts-Peter Beer, director of foreign policy department of the Presidential Administration and Ruprecht Polenz, chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee. The discussions in the meetings focused on bilateral, regional and global matters. They praised Azerbaijan`s cooperation with Europe, particularly Germany, underlined the necessity of increasing the role of EU in settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They also stressed the importance of realization of strategic projects initiated by Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani ambassador in Germany Parviz Shahbazov was present in consultations.
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