Azerbaijan, Baku, April 5 / Trend U. Sadikhova /
Foreign Minister of Palestinian Autonomy expects that the embassy in Baku will have a regional mandate, to be spread to other countries.
"We have always thought that our embassy opened in Baku will be the embassy with regional mandate for us to oversee our relationships with the rest countries in the region from Azerbaijan. This is important indicator, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki told Trend in an interview.
Azerbaijan can find ways how to improve relationships between the conflicting countries in the region, such as holding of workshops, conferences in Baku or any other towns of Azerbaijan. It can really bring experts from the region to assess opportunities for rapprochement between countries on disputable issues, he said.
"It will really strengthen and determine further cooperation. Of course, it will contribute to its further development. If Azerbaijan decides to open its representative office in Palestine, it will be additional assistance. I also hope that we will be able to speak about visits at the presidential level, and other officials soon, " Al-Malki said.
Political consultations between Azerbaijan and the leadership of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah intensified after Foreign Minister's first visit to Baku in late October 2009.
During the visit, al-Malki stated about intentions to open the Palestinian embassy in Azerbaijan in the nearest future.
According to Palestinian minister, Azerbaijan has good potential to become a mediator in resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
"We (Palestinian Autonomy) have always said that we would like to see Azerbaijan playing an important role in our region at least in the political level. Good political relations with Israel and Palestinians allow Azerbaijan playing important role as a mediator in this conflict (Israeli-Palestinian conflict), Al-Malki said.
Both Israel and Palestine respect Azerbaijan's leadership and this really allows intervening, if Baku desires to do so, Al-Malki said.
"The moment when Azerbaijan shows any signals that it would like any kind of meeting I think that all of countries will support Azerbaijan's leading role of bringing the countries' positions on specific issues together," Al-Malki said.
Speaking about the expected visit of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to Baku, Foreign Minister said that the head of the administration is very interested in this trip, but we need to determine the appropriate time and coordinate actions with the Azerbaijani side.
"This visit can deliver an opportunity for signing a framework agreement between the countries or the establishment of joint committees at the level of the presidents or foreign ministers. I think that this will reflect striving of both leaders to take necessary measures for the bilateral agreements," Al-Malki said.
As to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, al-Malki stated about full support of the Palestinian Authority for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.
"Palestinians have chosen the best way to solve problems through political negotiations. We hope that Azerbaijan will be able to solve its problem with Armenia through political negotiations. When it comes to the territorial integrity, we are in sympathy with Azerbaijan," Al-Malki said.