PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND BULGARIA GIVE JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
Following the meeting in the presence of delegations, Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Georgi Parvanov of Bulgaria held a joint press conference Monday at the Presidential Palace in Baku.
The Presidents made their statements at the event.
“The political dialogue between us has given an impetus to development of relationships between the two countries. We have made reciprocal visits some time ago, and signed lots of documents covering all spheres of bilateral relations,” said President Ilham Aliyev in his statement.
“As the member of the European Union, Bulgaria supports us as Azerbaijan joined the EU Neighborhood Policy. At the same time, there is good potential for development of economic ties. Both Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are rapidly developing economies. Of course, our growing economic capabilities will help continue mutual trade and investments,” said the Azerbaijani leader.
President Aliyev stressed that solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be based on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and internally displaced persons should unconditionally return to their homes.
“We think that countries that cooperate with us, in particular, the European Union should continue their efforts to solve the problem. A clear message must be sent to the occupant country that Nagorno-Karabakh will never be independent, and no country will recognize independence of Nagorno-Karabakh,” said Ilham Aliyev.
The President noted Bulgaria and Azerbaijan are very important countries for Europe`s energy security. He said Azerbaijan with its minimum gas reserves estimated at 2 trillion cubic meters can supply itself, Europe and neighboring countries with gas for many years.
“Being aware of its responsibility, Bulgaria wants to step up its efforts towards the Europe`s Nabucco project. We are the part of this project. Azerbaijan is a very reliable country exporting its resources,” Bulgarian President said in his statement.
President Parvanov thanked Ilham Aliyev for supporting his idea of holding the interregional conference of Black Sea and Caspian nations. He noted the main topic of the conference is diversification of energy supplies. Bulgarian leader said Azerbajan’s joining European energy projects is important, notably over the recently proposed Burgas-Alexandroupolis Project. According to him, Bulgaria is capable of purchasing 1 billion cubic meters of gas.
Parvanov said discussions also focused on the railway project and opening of air flights to Balkan countries.
On the Kosovo issue, the President said, “Bulgaria has not recognized Kosovo`s independence yet. We will reveal our stance according as things will go there. I want to say that European Union’s position is a special case, and it cannot be a precedent for other conflicts”.
President Parvanov invited his Azerbaijani counterpart to Bulgaria.
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