Buzek in Azerbeidzjan (en)

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek is today in Baku, Azerbaijan, as part of his official tour of the Southern Caucasus partner countries.

President Buzek said: "I am pleased to be in Azerbaijan, a country of rich tradition and history, an important partner of the European Union. The European Union and Azerbaijan share the same goals such as freedom, prosperity and stability. We would like to strengthen cooperation in economy, trade and energy. Cooperation in the field of energy is of crucial importance to both partners. Our need of diversification of energy supply is as important as the need of diversification of energy recipients for Azerbaijan. The European Union can also contribute to the improvement of the economy and the modernisation of the society.

In my talks I underlined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the borders that are internationally recognised. The EU strongly supports the international effort to resolve the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh centred around the framework of the Minsk Group and a peaceful solution on the basis of the Madrid principles. I believe Euronest is a good tool to enhance regional cooperation.

I came to Azerbaijan to express as well, the European Parliament's serious concerns regarding human rights, freedom of expression and assembly as well as the rule of law. Human rights and democracy must be at the core of our common values.

Azerbaijan has made commitments to uphold the values and the rules of organisations such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE. The letter and the spirit of those international commitments have to be implemented.

In order to have the best possible relations, it is necessary to have compatibility. Our systems need to be closer. This proximity is in the best long-term interest of the Azeri people and of Europeans as well. We offer to share our rich European experience. The decision is in the hands of the Azeri people and their authorities.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to dialogue with President Alijev and the leadership of the Milli Maclisi (National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan) on all those important issues.

Our focus and attention reflect the importance that we give to our partnership as well as of the role of Azerbaijan in the region."

Note to editors:

EP President met today with parliamentary factions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its chairman Ogtay Asadov. President Buzek held talks as well with the civil society and opposition representatives and met with Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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TV footage of the meeting will be available for download in broadcast and web quality following the broadcast by Europe by Satellite (EbS 4 - 19.00 CET) at the following link:

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm?page=2&date=05/20/2011&institution=0#95982

Photos of the visit will be available for download at the following link (tick photo icon and type search word: Jerzy Buzek)

http://audiovisual.europarl.europa.eu/Search.aspx

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