Chairman of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament) Murtuz Alaskarov has received Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Ian Peterson, now visiting Azerbaijan on October 13.

Warmly greeting the visitor, Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament has noted existing between Azerbaijan and Norway warm friendly links, has especially emphasized merits of the national leader of Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev in development of mutual relations. Having informed that Norwegian Company "Statoil" and other companies have enclosed large investments into economy of Azerbaijan, Chairman of Parliament has expressed hope for the further development of cooperation and increase in number of the Norwegian companies working in our country. He has emphasized that Azerbaijan is the most advanced country on the Southern Caucasus. Due to use of oil resources and present development Azerbaijan is mentioned in line with Norway.

Speaking about the obligations taken by Azerbaijan before the Council of Europe, Murtuz Alaskarov has noted, that the majority of them has been executed. There were some fine questions which are connected to passage of alternative service and national minorities and which in the near future also will find the solution.

Then speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament in detail informed on the history and reasons of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, the documents adopted by Security Council of the United Nations, OSCE, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in connection with the said conflict. He has especially emphasized that Azerbaijan supports peace settlement of the conflict within the framework of the norms of international law. At the same time, Azerbaijan will not concede spans of the native lands and will restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Having thanked for warm reception and detailed information, Ian Peterson has noted that the Kingdom of Norway shows special interest to development of connections with Azerbaijan. A number of the large companies of Norway is going to enclose investments into the Azerbaijan economy, and within the framework of visit he will carry on negotiations on the given question.

Highly having estimated execution of obligations taken before the Council of Europe by Azerbaijan, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of COE has expressed his views and the Nagorny Karabakh problem. He has told: “Indefiniteness in this conflict till present time causes a regret. As a competent state on such questions, the Kingdom of Norway can render assistance. The diplomat has emphasized, that his country supports peace, fair settlement of this problem, and has stated that renewal by the sides negotiations imparts hopes in settlement of the conflict.

At the meeting, also were exchanged views on other questions representing mutual interest.