THE PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND LITHUANIA SIGN JOINT DECLARATION
According to the Declaration, “Aiming to enhance development of political, economic and social relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Lithuania,” and “with the purpose to promote further development of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union and NATO,” the two leaders expressed conviction that “the present visit of the President of the Republic of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus to Azerbaijan would provide an important impetus to the further development of friendship and partnership between the two countries in the future.”
The document says that “the Presidents noted their commitment to develop their relations on the basis of the values such as the rule of law, democracy, human rights and market economy, and that “in this regard, the Lithuanian side welcomed the efforts of Azerbaijan aimed at strengthening the ongoing democratization, promoting the principles of civil society and market economy.”
The Presidents declared that they support “the implementation of additional measures to ensure such a level of trade, economic, tourism, health, scientific, education, culture and technical cooperation between the two countries which most fully corresponds with the capacity and potential of their dynamically developing market economies.”
They expressed their readiness “to assist implementing effective economic projects between the two countries, creating favorable conditions for cooperation among public and private enterprises and establishment of their joint associations, developing the links between financial and braking structures.”
“The Presidents noted with satisfaction the positive influence of the European Neighborhood Policy for the coming closer of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the European Union, and expressed their interest in finalizing the Action Plan for Azerbaijan as soon as possible,” the Declaration says.
According to the document, “The Parties will develop relationship aimed to assist the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In this regard, the President of the Republic of Lithuania confirmed the readiness of the Lithuanian public institutions to share their experience in the process of integration of the Republic of Azerbaijan into European and Euro-Atlantic structures in the following areas:
- strengthening the administrative capacity building, sharing the experience in reform process and training of the civil servants on the European integration issues;
- conducting joint consultations, conferences and other activities on the issues of European Union;
- sharing experience in the field of harmonization of legislation with that of European Union;
- sharing experience in development of communication strategies to inform society about European Union and accumulate public support for reforms;
- successful implementation of the Individual Partnership Plan between the Republic of Azerbaijan and NATO;
- exchange of experience in the field of military reform by organizing joint meetings, consultations and trainings;
- adapting national legislation in the field of security and defense to NATO principles and requirements;
- encouraging cooperation between relevant non-governmental organizations.”
In the document, the Lithuanian side emphasizes the importance of economic reforms for the Republic of Azerbaijan and expresses its “support for Azerbaijan’s WTO membership aspirations.”
According to the Declaration, “the Parties fully supporting and guided by the principles of the UN Charter and the three principles adopted at the OSCE Lisbon Summit, emphasized the importance of a peaceful solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the universally recognized principles and norms of the international law, especially the principles of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of border of the states.
“Referring to the continuing efforts within the OSCE towards peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the Minsk Group activity,” the document says, “the Parties reiterated the importance of taking more substantial and decisive steps in this regard.”
They also reaffirmed the necessity of cooperation in combating organized crime, corruption, illegal migration, human trafficking, money laundering, illegal trafficking of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors, toxic chemical substances, weapons, explosive materials, as well as hijacking and smuggling.
Noting the growing importance of the European energy security, the Parties expressed their support for development of energy transportation projects connecting energy resources of the Caspian Sea region with the European energy network. In this context, they noted the “international importance of the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project and other infrastructural projects.”
The Declaration finally reads: “The Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Lithuania expressed their conviction that bilateral and international cooperation serves as the basis for the consolidation of peace and security. In this regard, the Parties will promote regional cooperation between the Baltic and Caspian Seas regions with strong emphasis on the intensification of the regional cooperation between the Baltic States and countries of the South Caucasus.
Other news in this section
