BAKU: Reception at the cabinet of ministers

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
March 16 2004

RECEPTION AT THE CABINET OF MINISTERS
[March 16, 2004, 19:43:26]

On 16 March, Prime minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizadeh received
the visiting Acting Chairman of OSCE, foreign minister of Bulgaria
Solomon Passy.

Greeting the guests, the premier spoke of the results of the reforms
conducted in the country, rising year-by-year GDP and volume of
foreign investment, on rise of wages and numerous social allowances.
Along with the priorities in the development of global energy
projects, the leadership of Azerbaijan attaches great attention to
strengthening of non-oil sector, the Premier said.

As was stated, despite of positive alterations in the economic sphere,
Azerbaijan has a major problem that is the unsolved Armenian-Azerbaijani
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, which led to occupation of the Azerbaijani
lands, and ousting of the native population form their homelands.
Speaking of measures taken for settlement of this conflict, the
premier stated that the leadership of Country is for peaceful
resolution of the problem and called on the OSCE Acting Chairman to
activate efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in this direction.

Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister for warm reception and
provided comprehensive information, head of the delegation Mr.
Solomon Passy conveyed greetings from the premier of his country.

In the course of talks, also were exchanged views on a number of
other issues of mutual interest.

Head of the OSCE Baku Office Mr. Peter Burhard took part at the
reception.