POLITICS
NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER MEETS WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION ASSEMBLY DELEGATION
The Minister informed the delegation members about national security related reforms implemented and legislative acts adopted in Azerbaijan, the country’s cooperation with its neighbors and steps towards integration into the global community, as well as the situation inn the region and existing dangers and threats. He noted in particular that increase in the number of terror acts, illegal drug trafficking and migration, and other manifestations of the transnational organized crime cause serious concern throughout the world.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan problem over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Minister advised that the occupied territories of Azerbaijan including the 132 km - long area along the border between the mentioned territories and Iran remain out of control, that, according to him, poses a serious threat not only to Azerbaijan but also the whole Europe. He stressed the importance of urgent settlement of the conflict on the basis of the international law, and intensification of the efforts by international organizations including the European Union to this end.
In turn, Mr. Stef Goris expressed satisfaction with the ongoing democratic processes in Azerbaijan, religious tolerance existing in the country, and security situation for foreigners to live and work here. Touching on the geostrategic position of Azerbaijan in the region, he noted that from the standpoint of facing threats of the international terrorism the country is situated in the fragile. Mr. Goris shared the Minister’s opinion that protraction of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s settlement concerns both region and the world community, and underlined the necessity for the European countries to provide immediate assistance with urgent and fair resolution of the problem based on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Minister Eldar Mahmudov and AWUU President Stef Goris discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest, as well