Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 17
Trend:
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with Portugal’s Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva during his visit to the country.
The two ministers discussed the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Portugal during the meeting, said the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry in a message.
The sides noted the importance of development of cooperation within international organizations and mutual support, as well as holding consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries.
Mammadyarov informed his colleague about the situation in connection with the negotiations to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and noted that in line with the norms and principles of international law, the conflict must be resolved only on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions within the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.
The minister said that the heads of the three countries co-chairing of the OSCE Minsk Group recognized the unacceptability of the existing status quo. The violation of internationally recognized state borders by using force is unacceptable, he added. Mammadyarov also said that Armenia resorts to various provocations for frustration of the negotiation process and preservation of the status quo based on occupation.
The Azerbaijani minister praised Portugal’s support to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in line with norms and principles of international law and Helsinki Final Act.
Augusto Santos Silva, for his part, noted that Mammadyarov’s visit will significantly contribute to the development of relations between the two countries.
Silva said that his country supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and will continue to adhere to this position, based on the norms and principles of international law.
The two ministers endorsed the issuance of the European Commission mandate by the Council of the European Union for negotiations on the preparation of a strategic partnership agreement with Azerbaijan and expressed confidence that this agreement will have a positive impact on the comprehensive development of bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan.
Silva added that Portugal supports the development of Azerbaijan’s relations with the EU.
The sides also noted the potential to increase the volume of trade turnover between the two countries and the need to take important steps for the development of cooperation in the non-oil sector, including tourism, agriculture, food and light industry.
Moreover, Mammadyarov and Silva spoke about the importance of holding business forums for further development of cooperation among businessmen and private companies operating in both countries.
During the meeting, the two ministers signed an agreement on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Portugal. Mammadyarov and Silva held a press conference following the meeting.
During the press conference, the Portuguese foreign minister reiterated that his country supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.