POLITICS
DUTCH EMBASSY IN BAKU OFFICIALLY OPENED
Baku, March 4 (AZERTAC). An event to mark the official opening of the Netherlands` embassy in Baku was held on Wednesday.
Attending the event, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deputy foreign minister Ed Kronenberg said the opening of the embassy was evidence to the importance his country attaches to relationship with Azerbaijan.
He noted global financial crisis made some countries close their diplomatic representations abroad, “but we did open our embassy in Baku.”
Kronenberg praised the relationship between the Netherlands and Azerbaijan.
According to him, Dutch businessmen are keen to make investments in Azerbaijan`s economy. “The Netherlands is interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan not in energy, also other spheres of economy.”
He also hailed the fact that Azerbaijan was a member of major international organizations and participant of NATO`s Partnership for Peace and EU`s Eastern Partnership programs.
Kronenberg noted EU and Azerbaijan would sign, in the near future, the Association Agreement within the program, adding this will contribute to enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Kronenberg said his country supports the OSCE Minks Group`s mediation efforts to settle the dispute.
He also added the conflict should be resolved on the basis of the principles of international law.
Then, Kronenberg viewed a photo exhibition launched on the occasion of the Dutch embassy`s opening.