RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT AZERBAIJAN TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS OF CIS, CASPIAN AND NAGORNO-KARABAKH
Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 18 2007
The Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov, will make an official
visit to Azerbaijan from 21-22 May, informs ITAR-TASS quoting the
Russian Foreign Ministry. The Russian Foreign Minister will be
received by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. In addition,
Lavrov is expected to meet with Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister, Artur
Rasizade and Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov.
The meetings will focus on the realization of the agreements on
regarding elevating inter-country relations to a new level through
improving co-operation in all spheres, the Ministry stated. Lavrov
and Mammadyarov will discuss possibilities for strengthening the
co-operation within the CIS and intensify the co-ordination actions
in the international organizations. The steps will be discussed with
regards to co-operation in UNO, OSCE, and the EU.
In addition, debates will be organized regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement. " Russia intends to assist the conflicting
parties, Azerbaijan and Armenia, in reaching a solution. However,
the key responsibility for selecting a concluding settlement formula
falls on Azerbaijan and Armenia. Russia stands ready to support the
conflict settlement variant that satisfies both parties and to act
as guarantor of regulations if a compromise is reached," an anonymous
source told reporters from Smolensk Square. According to the source,
it is intended to discuss the issues of working out the legal status
of the Caspian Sea, ensuring security in the region, and conducting
the second Caspian Summit.
"It is very important for us that Azerbaijan assesses the present
situation of the prospects of the development of the relations between
the two countries," the Foreign Ministry mentioned. "The economic
aspect of the co-operation assumes a great importance for Azerbaijan
and Russia. The high rates of economic development in Russia and
Azerbaijan increases the attractiveness of the two countries in
developing a mutually beneficial co-operation," the same source stated.
"Prospects exist to expand the co-operation with regard to fuel and
energy complexes, scientific technologies, innovation activities,
as well as the expansion of the direct economic relations between
Russia and Azerbaijan," said the source in Smolensk Square.
