Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 21 /Trend/
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received the delegation headed by UK Minister of State for Europe, MP David Lidington, the press service of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry reported.
According to Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan attaches great importance to relations with Britain and positively estimates the expansion of cooperation between the two countries.
The British minister also spoke about the importance of Azerbaijan for the UK. He praised Azerbaijan's role in combating international terrorism, including in the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. According Lidington, his country is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in various spheres, including in non-oil sector.
Mammadyarov informed Lidington of regional projects, particularly implementation of the oil, gas and infrastructure projects in the South Caucasus. According to Mammadyarov, these projects are of strategic nature.
Lidington asked about the process of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to him, Britain is ready to provide full support to the OSCE Minsk Group. In his turn, Mammadyarov assessed the conflict as the greatest danger to peace and stability in South Caucasus. According to him, it is necessary that the world community would clearly indicate its position regarding the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions that require Armenia to stop the policy of occupation and unconditionally withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
It was also noted that while the Azerbaijani side has received updated Madrid principles, Armenia's position on the document submitted by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group in 2009 remains uncertain. Mammadyarov said that it needs take advantage of existing opportunities to preserve peace and stability.
During the meeting, the sides discussed a number of issues of mutual interest.