PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED OSCE ACTING CHAIRMAN
Greeting the guests, head of the Azerbaijani state Ilham Aliyev said that during the private meeting with previous Chairman of OSCE he had comprehensive exchange of views, discussed many questions, stressing that Azerbaijan’s strategic course is integration to the international and European structures. The policy that was pursued yesterday and that will be continued in the years ahead shows that Azerbaijan is on the right way, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized.
Reminding that Azerbaijan is intensively developing, President Ilham Aliyev stated that the economic, social, political reforms produce their positive results. These reforms will be continued and the country will succeed in all-round development. Azerbaijan has strong potential. The ongoing economic policy promotes economically to strengthen the Country, he stressed. Our economic indices are high level. Azerbaijan leads in the CIS space for its foreign investments per capita. Stable growth of GDP shows that the economic reforms are successful.
Noting that Azerbaijan is realizing political reforms, democracy is developing and established multiparty system in the Country, head of the Azerbaijani state confidently stressed that great accomplishments are awaiting us in the coming years. We are convinced that the path we have chosen will enable us to further develop the democratic values in Azerbaijan and greatly benefit the Country, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized.
Along with that, social issues are at focus of the state and as a result, we have adopted a special State Program for socio-economic development of the regions, the key goal of which is to better the life conditions of our citizens, ensure the refugees and IDPs with modern, convenient lifestyle, the President stressed.
Touching upon the most painful question of Azerbaijan – the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorny Karabakh conflict, he said: “We hope that the OSCE Minsk Group will intensify its efforts for settlement of the conflict. Unfortunately, there is no positive move in this direction and the conflict remains unsolved. Already the world community knows that as a result of this conflict 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territories have been occupied, over on million of people became refugees and IDPs. To great regret, the Armenian side holds destructive position and the armed forces of Armenia do not want to withdraw from the occupied lands. Thus, there remains a great threat for the entire region.
Noting the necessity of observing the international norms for settlement of the problem, president Ilham Aliyev said that the conflict could be settled only in the frame of these norms. That is, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored, the Armenian armed forces be withdrawn from the occupied lands, the refugees and IDPs return to their homelands. We hope that OSCE and its Minsk Group will raise their efforts and the conflict will find its fair resolution in the frame of international law.
Mr. Solomon Passy expressed his gratitude to the head of Azerbaijani state for reception. The OSCE Acting Chairman congratulated Ilham Aliyev for election as President of Azerbaijan Republic, wished him success.
The guest highly assessed the process of integration to Europe. Integration to Europe is reality and I am convinced that it will cover the entire Caucasus region, Mr. Passy stressed.
Touching the Nagorny Karabakh problem, the OSCE Acting Chairman said that he knows the problem as very hard and serious. He expressed deep regret that the problem remains unsolved. He said that his Organization hopes much for direct talks. I expect much from the dialogue of the Presidents of two countries and I shall state it during my visit to Yerevan, Mr. Solomon Passy said.
Head of the foreign relations department of President Administration Novruz Mammadov, head of the OSCE Baku Office Peter Burhard participated at the reception.
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