POLITICS
CHAIRMAN OF FINNISH PARLIAMENT’S COMMITTEE MEETS WITH VICE-SPEAKER OF AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT
Mr. Asgarov said after Azerbaijan became independent, it has developed relations with Finland, adding however there was still great potential to further boost these relations.
Mutual visits, including forthcoming ones by the Finnish Foreign Minister to Azerbaijan slated for February and by President Ilham Aliyev to Finland in May this year, will contribute to further strengthening our cooperation, Vice-Speaker underscored.
Mr. Asgarov briefed the visitor on Azerbaijan’s participation in large-scale regional projects, saying his country is playing a key role in Europe’s energy security.
Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which remains unresolved due to Armenia’s non-constructive stance, the Vice-Speaker noted that this conflict is still a serious threat to security both in the region and in Europe.
“While the United Nation’s Security Council, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Committee have recognized Armenia as a state-aggressor, the OSCE mediating between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, unfortunately has not. We hope, the significant steps will be undertaken to solve the conflict during Finland’s presidency of OSCE”, he said.
Mr. Salolainen said that Finland supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and that his country will try to get progress in resolution of the conflict. He stressed that his country is keen on development of ties with Azerbaijan. Mr. Salolainen announced that the Finnish Foreign Minister would visit Azerbaijan next week, during which he is expected to discuss with Azerbaijani officials ways of boosting bilateral cooperation and security issues, he said.