SITTING OF BSEC FOREIGN MINISTERS COUNCIL COMMENCED IN BAKU
Opening the sitting the Council chairman, minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev greeted the guests and wished them every success. He said that this event occurred with the remarkable day in Azerbaijan, namely, inauguration of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and invited all the participants to this ceremony.
Then, Vilayat Guliyev reported on the work implemented during the presidency of Azerbaijan. The orator said that Azerbaijan had exerted its efforts towards cooperation development between the BSEC countries, in particular, in the sphere of transport and energy in the region. To lay oil, gas pipelines, and widen the transport network of the Black Sea and Caspian countries, special documents were signed. Tourism Projects were also developed. Azerbaijan considers that tourism matters for development of business and other sectors. Fruitful steps must be taken for BSEC development. It is necessary to deepen the cooperation with the European Union, World Bank and other political and financial organizations. There is a need in financial aid for some projects’ realization. Besides, it is necessary to strengthen the status of BSEC leadership, in particular, confer more powers to Secretary General.
Vilayat Guliyev also mentioned that some problems impede regional cooperation.
Vilayat Guliyev’s speech was followed by BSEC Secretary General Valeriy Chechelashvili’s address. Having appreciated Azerbaijan’s role during its presidency, secretary general said that the present council leader has special services in the realization of regional projects, provision of stable development. He stated that Azerbaijan would be presiding in the organization for 6 months.
Prime Minister of Turkey, state minister Abdullatif Shener pointed out to Azerbaijan’s role in realization of projects and prosperity of the organization.
Then, participants discussed the issues of strengthening the energy and transport sectors, combat against crimes, simplifying the visa procedures, rendering help in emergency cases, perspectives of regional and international cooperation.
In the course of debates, the participants touched upon damages suffered by Black Sea region countries because of regional conflicts.
In his speech, deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Ruben Shugaryan noted that regional conflicts, including Nagorno Garabakh problem should be settled by peaceful means. The elections in Azerbaijan and Armenia caused lull in negotiations, which should be continued based on the Key West and Paris agreements.
Foreign Minster of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev said that negotiations towards settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Garabakh would be continued more intensively. Peaceful resolution should be put into practice in accordance with requirements of Azerbaijan. V. Guliyev reaffirmed that no agreements had been concluded in Paris and Key West and no base for negotiations to begin had been created for the negotiation process. Therefore, talks may be resumed from the very beginning.
Then, Council members proposed to extend Azerbaijan’s presidency for another tenure. According to the alphabetical order, presidency should switch from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria. However, this country will be presiding in the OSCE since early 2004. The same country may not preside in two international organizations. Having appreciated accomplishments achieved by the organization during the Azerbaijan’s presidency, council members voted for Azerbaijan.
Finally, the participants signed a protocol “privileges and immunities” that allows considering decisions to be adopted at the OBSEC Parliamentary Assembly by state-members and providing some privileges for parliamentarians of the organization.
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