Azerbaijan, Czech Republic to increase inter-parliamentary ties
By Jamila Babayeva
A Czech delegation led by Chairperson of the Senate Committee on EU Affairs Miroslav Krejca mulled the Azerbaijan- Czech Republic ties in Baku.
During the visit to Azerbaijan, the Czech delegation met members of the International and Inter-parliamentary Relations Committee at the Azerbaijani Parliament on April 15.
Chairman of the Committee Samad Seyidov called relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic friendly, the parliament's press service reported.
Krejca lauded Azerbaijan's recent achievements, saying the country was rapidly developing.
He expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to expanding inter-parliamentary ties between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic.
The Czech delegation then met members of the working group on Azerbaijan-Czech Republic inter-parliamentary relations.
Member of the working group Sahiba Gafarova praised relations between the two countries fraternal, and noted the role of reciprocal visits in expanding bilateral relations.
Gafarova also informed the delegation about the country's development in economic, educational, and cultural fields.
Stressing the mutual support of the two countries` parliamentarians on the international level, she said the Czech government's just position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict had been praised in Azerbaijan.
Krejca noted that there were common values connecting the two countries, and good opportunities for further expansion of bilateral cooperation existed.
Azerbaijan`s Parliamentary speaker Ogtay Asadov also received the Czech delegation.
Addressing the event, Asadov said Azerbaijan attached special importance to expanding bilateral ties with the Czech Republic.
The speaker stressed the role of high level reciprocal visits in developing bilateral relations, and highlighted Azerbaijan`s achievements and projects carried out in the country.
On the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Asadov thanked the Czech government for supporting Azerbaijan`s fair position in the peace talks.
Krejca said the delegation was deeply impressed by the development processes in Azerbaijan.
Emphasizing the importance of the meetings held as part of the visit, Krejca said his country was interested in enhancing cooperation with Azerbaijan.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with the Czech delegation on April 16, and the sides discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional processes.
Speaking about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Mamamdyarov noted that the international community applies double standards to the conflict and Azerbaijan supports its just solution in a short time.
Krejca, in turn, noted the unacceptability of violating the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders.
Mammadyarov also spoke about the country's energy strategy.
Noting that Azerbaijan pays great importance to parliamentary diplomacy, he expressed the country's readiness to expand cooperation with the Czech Republic in all spheres, particularly education and economy.
Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic established diplomatic relations in 1993.