BAKU: France supports peace policy of Azerbaijan

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 12 2005

FRANCE SUPPORTS PEACE POLICY OF AZERBAIJAN
[April 12, 2005, 11:23:23]

Speaker of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan Parliament) Murtuz Alaskarov has
received the visiting Chairman of the French-Azerbaijan Friendship
Group, Senator Ambroise Dupont, April 11.

Greeting the guest, Mr. Alaskarov spoke of the history of relations
between two countries, of importance of the historical visit of the
nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to France in 1993. He
said, President Ilham Aliyev as a president also has made his first
visit to France, and that the agreements signed during this visit
have set up firm ground for a new stage in the bilateral relations.
Over 25 French companies work in Azerbaijan. They mainly are engaged
in large-scale projects.

Chairman of the Milli Majlis recalled his meetings with the Chairman
of the French Senate Poncelet last year in Versailles during which
was reached agreements on tourism and cultural links underlining that
the recently opened Cultural Center of France in Baku is logic
continuation of that agreement.

Speaker of Parliament said Azerbaijan has great potential to develop
tourism in the country. Bu occupation on 20 percent of the Country’s
territories seriously impedes development of this branch at a due
level.

The people of Azerbaijan expect much form France as one of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs. The co-chairs better to take strict measures
against the aggressor, he emphasized.

Senator Ambroise Dupont expressed consent for warm reception and
provided information, conveyed greetings of the Chairman of French
Senate Christian Poncelet to Mr. Alskarov. He expressed pleasure with
the changes in the country, especially with the quick economic
development. Azerbaijan has much potential for greater development
but its needs peace in region, he said. Azerbaijan adherence to peace
in the Nagorno Karabakh problem is important. `We welcome this policy
and support’, Mr. Dupont underlined.

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