Details added (grafs 2-3, first version was posted at 21:14)
Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 12 /Trend, E.Mehdiyev/
As a country suffering from the occupation of significant part of its territory and the forcible displacement of hundreds of thousands of its citizens, Azerbaijan fully realizes the threats and challenges affecting the countries with unresolved conflicts including those in Africa, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said during the UN Security Council meeting on United Nations-African Union Partnership.
According to Mammadyarov, development of the common guidelines by the UN and the African Union as a framework for mediation in Africa will contribute to achieving peace and preventing conflicts. It is crucial that all member countries implement their obligations as laid down by the UN with respect to the sovereignity, territorial integrity and political independence of states, he said.
"Over the recent period, Azerbaijan has significantly developed its cooperation with the African Union and its member states. Azerbaijan is actively participating in implementing various assistance programs for Africa. Azerbaijan has responded to the appeals of respective governments and international organizations to provide urgent aid aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa and other African countries," said Mammadyarov.
Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo, which were elected to the organization for 2012-2013 during the elections held at the General Assembly in October 2011, assumed their authorities as the UNSC non-permanent members on Jan.1. They replaced Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria at the UNSC Council, whose two-year term expired on Dec.31, 2011.