President Aliyev attends NATO Summit
President Ilham Aliyev was at the Headquarters of the Council of European Union in the framework of his visit to Brussels on July 11, where he met with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.
During the meeting the sides had broad exchange of views on development of comprehensive cooperation between EU and Azerbaijan. They commended continuous efforts of both sides towards strengthening of cooperation and noted successful cooperation in the political, economic, energy, transport and other spheres.
The growing role of Azerbaijan in the energy security of Europe and the importance of the recently launched TANAP project were highlighted. At the same time, the sides hold an exchange of views on the situation in the region where Azerbaijan is located, as well as regional security and challenges.
The parties discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. President Aliyev informed about the current status of the conflict.
Donald Tusk noted that Azerbaijan has positive experience in the sphere of building a secular and modern society.
During the conversation, the situation with human rights and the issues of Azerbaijan-EU cooperation in this field were discussed.
Following the meeting, the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Priorities Document was initialed under the auspices of President Aliyev and Tusk, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the Commission Federica Mogherini.
Ilham Aliyev and Donald Tusk highly appreciated the Partnership Priorities document being initialed and noted with satisfaction that this document will open up new opportunities for further development of partnership relations between Azerbaijan and the EU.
As indicated in the first paragraph of the document, based on mutual interests and common values with the aim of further strengthening cooperation, Azerbaijan and the EU agreed on the priorities for joint cooperation.
At the same time, in the first paragraph, along with the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of countries, the commitment of both sides to support the inviolability of internationally recognized borders is expressed.
The document, based on partnership and mutual respect, also notes the possible contribution of the EU to the work being carried out to support the policy aimed at Azerbaijan’s diversifying its economy, the agenda of economic reforms in the country.
The document emphasizes that Azerbaijan has favorable geostrategic position. The document also stresses that the EU supports the contribution Azerbaijan makes to the implementation of the East-West and North-South transport and energy projects.
At the same time, the document says that early implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project and, as a result, the delivery of natural gas to European markets, are among the top priorities.
It highlights the contribution Azerbaijan makes to the development of intercultural dialogue, as well as the fact that the EU shows a special interest in cooperation with Azerbaijan in this field. At the same time, the initialed document reflects prospects for dialogue on the abolition of visas between Azerbaijan and the EU.
As part of the visit President Aliyev also met with his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in Brussels.
The head of state recalled with satisfaction the visits of Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to Azerbaijan and the meetings held so far. He said that the meeting of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan was successfully held in Baku and good discussions were held.
Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed gratitude for the continued support by Azerbaijan to Afghanistan in various fields, and also for the fact that Azerbaijan held the meeting of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan.
At the meeting, the sides noted successful cooperation in various fields between the countries and emphasized the support rendered by Azerbaijan to Afghanistan in the humanitarian sphere.
The two leaders hold an exchange of views on regional issues and noted Azerbaijan’s special role in restoring peace in Afghanistan. The parties also discussed prospects for cooperation in the economic sphere between the countries.
Then President Aliyev attended a reception organized for the heads of state and government of the countries alliaes and partners NATO.
On the next day President Aliyev attended a North Atlantic Council meeting on the NATO Resolute Support Mission with the participation of potential operational partners and heads of state and government of partner countries contributing to the NATO operation in Afghanistan.
Following the meeting he met with Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the United Nations Rosemary DiCarlo.