PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED EC DELEGATION HEADED BY ROMANO PRODI
Greeting the guest, head of Azerbaijan state recalled his meeting with Mr. Romano Prodi in Belgium telling it was very useful. The Azerbaijan-European Union relations develop successfully, President of Azerbaijan underlined. “Our country attaches great importance to development of these relations”, he said. President Ilham Aliyev state that the relations with the European Union are one of the priorities of our state policy and we reach new accomplishments in this field, he added.
Noting that the “New Policy of Neighborhood” is very important, President Ilham Aliyev underlined that this policy is one of the priorities in the relations of Azerbaijan and European Union. Head of Azerbaijan stated that appointment of the European Union representative on South Caucasus serves development of these relations.
Stating that cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields between Azerbaijan and European Union develops successfully, president Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence for strengthening of these ties. Azerbaijan is an integral part of Europe and integration to European structures is priority of our foreign policy, head of Azerbaijan state emphasized.
Noting that there is successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and European Union in the field of economy, in particular, in the power field, President Ilham Aliyev said that there is a high level dialogue in the political field.
Head of Azerbaijani state expressed confidence that the visit of Mr. Romano Prodi to Azerbaijan would greatly promote the development and strengthening of the bilateral relations.
Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for warm reception, Mr. Prodi said that he was pleased with the visit. Noting that cooperation in the political, economic and other fields is integral part of the new policy of neighborhood he noted that realization of this policy is of great significance from the viewpoint of strengthening of cooperation and solution of the facing problems. “There are important tasks before the European Union for implementation of this policy and the EU holds fair position in regard with the policy of neighborhood”, he said.
Mr. Romano Prodi said that quick resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict is necessary for successful realization of the New Policy of Neighborhood. “The European Union with its 500 million population pays great importance on expansion of cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan that plays is significant role in the region”, he stressed. He expressed confidence that these relations would develop further.
Head of the PA foreign relations department Novruz Mammadov and the representative of Azerbaijan in European Union Arif Mammadov took part at the reception.