Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani and Slovenian officials have focused on the development of bilateral cooperation during their recent gathering.

The Slovenian delegation led by Mitja Bervar, the president of the Slovenia’s National Council paid a two-day visit to Azerbaijan on March 2.

President Ilham Aliyev received the Slovenian delegation on March 3, Azerbaijani president’s website reported.

The sides expressed satisfaction in regards to bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Slovenia in various fields, as well as in the political sphere.

They stressed an importance of high-level visits for the expansion of bilateral ties, expressing confidence that Slovenian delegation’s visit further enhance relations between the two countries

Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani foreign minister said during the meeting with the Slovenian delegation led by Bervar that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the development of relations with the countries of Balkan region.

During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Slovenia, emphasizing the importance of developing the cooperation, Azerbaijani foreign ministry said.

Bervar reminded his audience about a statement made by the supreme legislative body of Slovenia on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which emerged in 1988 over Armenia’s territorial claims against its South Caucasian neighbor.

Bervar added that this statement supports the peaceful settlement of the conflict within OSCE Minsk Group and on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions.

The precarious cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia was reached after a lengthy war that displaced over a million Azerbaijanis and has been in place between the two South Caucasus countries since 1994. Since the hostilities, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenia's withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, but to this day they have not been enforced.

Moreover, Bervar congratulated Azerbaijan over holding the upcoming first European Games in Baku in June 2015 and said a lot of Slovenian athletes will participate in the Games.

Mammadyarov, for his part, said changing the internationally recognized borders is inadmissible, stressing that each country should respect the norms and principles of international law.

He further added that Azerbaijan and Slovenia are bound by historical ties, noting that Azerbaijanis showed courage during the liberation of Slovenia from fascist invaders during the World War II.

Mammadyarov also said the two countries have the opportunity to develop bilateral cooperation in the spheres of energy, economy and trade, investments, culture and sports.

Slovenia recognized Azerbaijan’s independence in December, 1991 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February, 1996.

The Azerbaijani State Customs Committee’s data showed that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Slovenia as of 2014 amount to $8.659 million. Around $8.65 million accounted for the imports from Slovenia to Azerbaijan, while $13,150 for export to Slovenia.

--

Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz