CHAIRMAN OF FINNISH PARLIAMENT’S COMMITTEE MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF AZERBAIJANI PARTIES
Visiting Azerbaijan chairman of the Finnish Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs Pertti Salolainen, met Saturday with MPs representing the political parties in the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan.
Representative of the New Azerbaijan Party, MP, Mubaiz Gurbanly told of the history of Azerbaijan’s independence, activity of the parliament, and President Ilham Aliyev-led economic and political reforms. According to him, human rights are well protected in Azerbaijan. The Parliament of Azerbaijan adopts progressive laws and endorses international conventions.
Gurbanly noted that Azerbaijan, after regaining its independence, had established close ties with all developed countries. According to him, cooperation with Finland is one of the priorities of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. Azerbaijan-Finland friendship group functions in the Milli Majlis.
Azerbaijan plays a key role in implementation of large-scale projects and transportation of Caspian hydrocarbon resources to Europe. The fact that Armenia occupies Azerbaijani territories impedes the country`s development. Official Baku supports peaceful the solution to the conflict based on international legal norms. The conflict poses a serous threat to the security of region and Europe itself.
Gurbanly said he is hopeful that a breakthrough will be achieved towards ending the conflict during Finland’s OSCE chairmanship.
Salolainen said dynamic growth in Azerbaijan is the focus of Finland’s attention. According to him, Finland is keen on developing ties Azerbaijan. The trips aim at expanding the cooperation even more.
He said Finnish Foreign Minister is scheduled to arrive in Baku in February while President Ilham Aliyev is going to visit Finland in May.
Finland is holding OSCE chairmanship. OSCE aims to assist its members in promoting democratization. He said OSCE is concerned about the Kosovo problem, Abkhaziya problem in Georgia, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the fact that Russia pulled out of the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
The meeting was also attended by chairmen of the Ana Veten Party, Umid Party, Justice Party, Popular Front of Unified Azerbaijani Party represented in the parliament.
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