Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov pays an official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden on November 6-7 to meet his counterpart and other officials.

During the meeting with Swedish FM Margot Wallstrom, who visited Azerbaijan in February 2016, the ministers reviewed the current status of relations, issues on the agenda between the two countries and stressed the importance of high level mutual visits with a view of expanding cooperation. They noted with satisfaction the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden.

Mammadyarov and Wallstrom reviewed the ways of further development of economic relations between their countries. In this regards, they commended activity of Swedish companies in Azerbaijan and mentioned the importance of increasing mutual investment. The ministers also said that there is broad potential for strengthening of economic-trade relations and increasing of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Sweden.

They also exchanged views on the current level of negotiations process on Strategic Partnership Agreement between Azerbaijan and European Union and expressed their belief that this agreement will contribute to the development of comprehensive cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU.

Mammadyarov mentioned that Azerbaijan stands for the development of cooperation with EU member states based on mutual respect and understanding, and noted that Azerbaijan already signed strategic partnership agreements with around 10 EU member states.

The minister further informed Wallstrom about the projects realized with Azerbaijan’s initiative and participation including North-South and East-West corridors and in this regards noted that Sweden can also benefit from North-South railway linking South Asia and Northern Europe.

Touching upon the latest negotiations process on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mammadyarov stated that the attempts to change the internationally recognized borders of states by use of force is unacceptable. He added that Sweden is one of OSCE Minsk Group countries and contribution of all Minsk Group countries is important for the conflict resolution.

The Azerbaijani and Swedish foreign ministers also exchanged views on the cooperation within the international organizations and regional issues of mutual interest.

Prior to meeting with Wallstrom, Mammadyarov met with First Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament) Ewa Thalen Finne.

The sides exchanged views on the ways of developing cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Swedish parliaments. They mentioned that parliamentary diplomacy and mutual exchange of parliamentary delegations play an important role in developing the bilateral relations.

The sides stated that during 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two countries forged political dialogue based on friendship and mutual understanding.

Mammadyarov further briefed Thalen Finne about Azerbaijan’s role in the region, large-scale transport and energy infrastructure projects realized with the initiative and direct participation of Azerbaijan.

The sides also touched upon the role of Azerbaijan in the promotion of religions and intercultural dialogue and exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden were established in 1992 and since then, the two countries share a common position in a number of fields, including regional development and security, migration and culture, as well as international issues.

The trade turnover between the countries exceeded $68 million last year, overwhelming majority of which accounted for imports from Sweden.

Today it is important to expand relations between the two countries in a variety of fields, as there is good potential for this. First of all, relationship between the representatives of business should be enhanced in terms of the development of economic ties and exploring new opportunities in this sphere.

Bilateral relations between the two countries also play a special role in expanding Azerbaijan-European Union cooperation even more.

Sweden recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the country’s officials have repeatedly noted that it is ready to support peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.