Heydar aliyev heritage research center

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BAKU-BRUSSELS (Azerbaijan-European Union relations)

Meeting of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 Ilham Aliyev with the Secretary-General of the Council of 

the European Union and High Representative for Common 

Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana 

November 7, 2006 

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev arrived in the EU residence in Brussels on 

November 7.

State flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan was waving.

The President of Azerbaijan was sincerely welcomed in front of the building by 

the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representa-

tive for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.

Then President Aliyev had private meeting with the Secretary-General of the 

Council of the European Union Javier Solana.

The President spoke of the social and economic processes taking place in Azer-

baijan, and the progress the country has achieved in various spheres of life.

Mr. Solana pointed out that the European Union attaches a great importance to 

its relations with Azerbaijan, that he said, will prompt the cooperation in various 

fields, including in energy sector. He described the European Neighborhood Policy 

as a new stage of the Azerbaijan-EU cooperation. Mr. Javier Solana touched upon 

the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh and other regional issues.

President Ilham Aliyev said his country attaches a great importance to its re-

lations  with  the  European  Union,  pointed  out  the  significance  of  action  plan  of 

the neighborhood policy, and expressed his confidence in further expansion of the 

Azerbaijan-EU  cooperation.  On  the Armenia-Azerbaijan  conflict  over  Nagorno-

Karabakh, the President said it can be solved only in accordance with the principle 

of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Mr. Solana valued Azerbaijan as a state playing very important role in the region 

and noted cooperation with Azerbaijan has a special place for the EU.

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BAKU-BRUSSELS (Azerbaijan-European Union relations)

Meeting of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

 Ilham Aliyev with the President of the European 

Commission Jose Manuel Barroso

November 7, 2006

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met in Brussels with President of the Eu-

ropean Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, November 7.

Indicating the good cooperation with Azerbaijan Mr. Barroso said there was a 

great potential for expansion of cooperation between EU and Azerbaijan. He point-

ed out the importance of the Memorandum on Understanding on energy partnership 

to be signed in Brussels, as well as that of Azerbaijan’s integration into Europe. Mr. 

Barroso said they highly value ties of Azerbaijan with EU, expressed pleasure of 

cooperation in frame neighboring policy. He described the energy and economic 

cooperation  as  an  important  part  of  the  bilateral  relations  adding  they  are  “also 

about  pursuing  shared  European  values  of  democracy,  good  governance,  funda-

mental freedoms and the protection of human rights.” He said we must do so popu-

lation of Azerbaijan and European Union countries have its benefit.

Highly valuing cooperation with EU President Ilham Aliyev dwelt on the pro-

cesses of economic development and democratic reforms taking place in Azerbai-

jan, as well as on what is being done in the country to reduce poverty and unem-

ployment. He noted the importance of sharing the European values. Touching on 

Azerbaijan’s possible contribution to the European Union, the Azerbaijani leader 

drew Mr. Barroso’s attention to favorable geographic location of the country, its 

rich natural resources and developed transport infrastructure.

President Aliyev also gave an update on the current state of the Armenia-Azer-

baijan peace negotiations, and expressed his country’s position on the problem.

EC President expressed the EU’s readiness to cooperate with Azerbaijan in not 

only energy, but also in other fields.

Several issues of mutual concern were discussed as well.

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BAKU-BRUSSELS (Azerbaijan-European Union relations)

Joint briefing of the President of the Republic

 of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of

 the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso 

November 7, 2006

On November 7, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Eu-

ropean Commission Jose Manuel Barroso signed a Memorandum of Understanding 

on Cooperation in the field of energy between the European Union and the Republic 

of Azerbaijan. 

After the ceremony, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Bar-

roso and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made statements at the briefing held 

for the media representatives.

Statement by President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso

Ladies and gentlemen!

It is a great honor to greet President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels. We just signed a 

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of energy be-

tween Azerbaijan and the EU with President Ilham Aliyev. This memorandum is a 

result of sustainable strategy of the Commission ensuring energy security. In this 

strategy, a special attention is attached to expand ties between main oil exporting 

countries and transit countries. Implementation of the MoU will assist rapid inte-

gration of Azerbaijan into the energy markets of the EU. The EU energy security 

will be strengthened as a result of transport of energy resources from the Caspian 

basin. It will give an opportunity to establishment of a more efficient management 

system of energy demand in Azerbaijan and exchange of experience as well. 

I would like to stress the idea that the energy resources which are going to be 

transported from the Caspian basin will play a great role in the EU energy provision. 

It means that Azerbaijan will closely cooperate with the EU in the field of energy.

We also note with great pleasure that Azerbaijan is a part of the EU Neighbor-

hood Policy and it will contribute to the stability and welfare in the country. 

Naturally, energy and economic cooperation are very important issues.

But cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU is not limited to this. The new 

European Neighbourhood Policy is bWayer. We intend to move forward based on 

common values as democracy, management and protection of human rights. I dis-

cussed all these issues with the President, including freedom of speech in the media. 

I am sure that President will inform you about this.

We are interested in establishment of sustainable and thorough relations with 

Azerbaijan. Naturally, we are ready to assist Azerbaijan in the field of reforms and 

we exchanged views about this. I would like to stress with great pleasure that ac-

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