MEETING OF PACE’S POLITICAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE COMMENCE IN BAKU
Opening the event, chairman of the committee Abdulgadir Atesh expressed gratitude for hospitality, saying that processes in Azerbaijan, its economic development, integration into European and Euroatlantic structures are in the center of attention. According to him, Azerbaijan-CoE relations are strengthening with Azerbaijan becoming a reliable partner for the organization. The fact that the event is held in Baku is an evidence of it. PACE as well as Political Affairs Committee is keen on developing democracy in Azerbaijan and protecting human rights. He said Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is a big impediment for the development of Azerbaijan, and PACE supports peaceful resolution of the problem.
Chairman of the Committee expressed his opinion on the laws related to the human rights and freedoms and other issues.
Then, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov gave an insight into the economic situation in Azerbaijan. Minister said economy of Azerbaijan develops very rapidly; GDP grew by 36 per cent. Commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and realization of other large-scale projects boost the country’s economic potential. Kazakhstan’s joining BTC project and interest of other countries is very important for us, he said. Azerbaijan government pays a special attention to the non-energy sector to achieve sustainable economic development and avoid “Dutch syndrome”. According to him, the share of the non-energy sector is expected to drastically increase within a couple of years.
On Azerbaijan’s relations with neighboring countries, the Head of Foreign Office said that Azerbaijan maintains very good relations with Russia. Trade turnover with Russia has doubled over a year.
Russian markets are very important for selling Azerbaijani agricultural products.
E. Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan has 12-km border with Turkey. The countries share the same language, religion and culture. Azerbaijan and Turkey jointly work to implement large-scale projects.
Minister pointed out Azerbaijan maintains friendly relations with Iran. Iran supplies Nakhchivan, which is blockaded by Armenia, with gas and electricity.
Georgia is Azerbaijan’s strategic partner. We want this country to develop and prosper as we do.
E. Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan as a peace-loving nation can develop relations with Armenia. However, Armenia must first leave occupied Azerbaijani lands, give up the policy of aggression.
E. Mammadyarov advanced his views on a number of issues concerning Caspian Sea legal status, GUAM’s future activity, so-called referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh, and situation in Kosovo.
He said the solution to the problems related to the Caspian Sea status was found. There are no problems among Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan as bilateral agreements were signed. However, Iran and Turkmenistan continue to take non-constructive stand.
The GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development –has already become an international organization. Member countries approved the permanent secretariat and budget.
As to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan supports peaceful resolution of the conflict, Minister said. He pointed out that so-called referendum was not recognized by the international community.
The meeting was attended by Justice Minister Fikret Mammadov, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov, Head of the Administration of the Milli Majlis and other officials.
Then, the meeting was continued behind the closed doors.
The two-day meeting will focus on the human rights and democratic situation in Europe, threat of using energy supplies as a method of political pressure, situation in Kosovo and Cechnya and other issues.
The meeting will be continued on December 12.
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