Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

The Azerbaijan-Germany inter-parliamentary friendship group met with members of the German delegation visiting the country on October 5, reported AzerTac.

The member of the working group Khanlar Fatiyev congratulated the guests on the occasion of Germany’s National holiday - the 26th Anniversary of the Day of German Unity.

He stressed that Azerbaijan and Germany have extensive ties.

In addition, the MP talked about the relations between Parliament and Bundestag.

It was also noted during the meeting that two countries give importance to the development of cooperation in the spheres of economy, culture and others.

Bundestag member Alexander Ulrich said that the delegation arrived in Azerbaijan for the implementation of the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) arrived program.

Ulrich said that 120 young people from 41 countries who took part in the program for several years and now it’s been organized in Azerbaijan for several as well.

He noted that young people who participate in the program get familiar with the work of MPs and Bundestag during five months.

3 or 4 students will be selected from Azerbaijan to participate in this program.

Moreover, he mentioned that Azerbaijan has very talented and bright youth.

The German MP praised the role of friendship groups in the development of Inter-parliamentary relations between countries.

He stressed the importance of further development of existing relations.

“Azerbaijan is a very important energy partner for Europe and Germany”, Ulrich added.

Commenting on Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the guest noted that certain initiatives have been put forward to solve this problem, adding that Germany hopes that these initiatives will be realized in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

German federal government has repeatedly expressed its position on the issue, declaring that the status quo is unacceptable.

Previously, German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Michael Kindsgrab also said that

Germany understands that the status quo is unacceptable in the current situation.

“We are in a constant contact with Azerbaijan and Armenia and we try to involve them in goal-oriented negotiations for the conflict to be resolved and not to flare up again,” he said

Earlier, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev said that Germany is close to Azerbaijan in economic, historical and cultural aspects.

In turn, Mammadguliyev also congratulated the people of Germany and said the relations between the two countries are developing dynamically and will continue to develop in the future.

Relations between Azerbaijan and Germany are developing especially dynamically in the economic sphere, said the deputy FM, adding this is important considering the fact that major economic reforms are underway in Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Germany were established in February 1992.

Over the last two decades, the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Germany are developed into new heights and objectives. The exchange of official visits and extensive contact of the business community have played an important role towards transforming the bilateral relations between Baku and Berlin from formal and official diplomatic contacts into a strategic partnership that continues to flourish every day.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Germany stood at 415.33 million manats in January-May 2016 and Germany accounted for 6.51 percent of Azerbaijan’s total trade turnover, according to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee. In these terms, the country ranks fourth among Azerbaijan’s foreign trade partners.

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Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova

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