Prospects for Azerbaijan-UK relationship discussed in parliament
Baku, May 31 (AZERTAC). First vice-speaker of the Azerbaijan parliament, Milli Majlis, Ziyafat Asgarov has today met head of the UK-Azerbaijan interparliamentary working group at the British parliament, member of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, Christopher Pincher.
They focused on prospects for relationship between Azerbaijan and the UK.
Asgarov said Azerbaijan attaches great importance to development of relationship with European countries, including the UK. He said the volume of trade between the two countries makes up $1 billion. “About 150 British companies are operating in Azerbaijan. The activity of BP should especially be stressed. This company has played an important role in major oil and gas projects implemented by Azerbaijan since the country regained independence in 1991.”
The vice-speaker noted Azerbaijan was one of the fastest growing economies of the world. “Azerbaijan accounts for 80 percent of GPD of the South Caucasus region.” Asgarov also stressed Azerbaijan`s successful European integration.
The vice-speaker also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He added as a result of Armenia`s aggressive policy 20 percent of territories of Azerbaijan was occupied and more than one million Azerbaijanis were driven out from their original lands. “Official Yerevan does not honor documents of the UN, European Union and PACE on immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories.” Asgarov added the international community must exert more pressure on Armenia.
Pincher said the purpose of the visit was to discuss how to expand political, economic and cultural relationship between Azerbaijan and the UK. Pincher also underscored the importance of reciprocal visits.
The British MP praised the economic accomplishments, as well as progress made in democracy in Azerbaijan. Pincher vowed to continue his efforts towards strengthening relationship between Azerbaijan and the UK.
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