Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan appreciates Latvia`s support in its cooperation with NATO and the European Union, President Ilham Aliyev said after talks with his Latvian counterpart Valdis Zatlers in Baku on Monday, state television channel AzTV reported.
Addressing a joint news conference with Zatlers during his first official visit to Azerbaijan, President Aliyev said his country is also participating in the Eastern Partnership program that aims to boost cooperation between the EU and its ex-Soviet partners. International collaboration within these organizations will help to develop relations among countries in a variety of areas, he said.
Aliyev said Azeri-Latvian relations are on a high level in a multitude of fields.
"Prolific political dialog is underway between the two countries. I am confident that the bilateral documents signed today will expand the legal framework of these relations. Our relations are developing very successfully and have a good future."
In conclusion of the discussions, the governments of Azerbaijan and Latvia signed agreements in the fields of tourism, youth and sports, metrology and standardization. Also, the two countries` leaders put pen to a joint statement.
President Zatlers said economic relations between the two countries have significantly developed over the past four to five years, and bilateral trade turnover has at least doubled.
"Further, things are bound to improve even more. Despite the world crisis, nothing prevents us from being good partners," Zatlers said.
The ceremony of awarding the two presidents with the top orders of Azerbaijan and Latvia was held as part of the Latvian leader`s visit as well. President Aliyev presented the Heydar Aliyev Order to his counterpart for his outstanding contribution to the development of friendly ties and cooperation, while Zatlers conferred Aliyev with the Grand Cross Cavalier degree of the Order of the Three Stars for his exclusive merits in the development of bilateral relations.
On Tuesday, the Latvian president visited the Sangachal Terminal, one of the world`s largest terminals, which holds Azerbaijan`s oil.
During the visit, Zatlers is also expected to head to the ancient town of Shaki where he will visit a local silk factory, the Khan Palace and other historical and cultural sights. Upon his return to the Azeri capital on Wednesday, Zatlers is scheduled to meet with the local Latvian community at the embassy of Latvia in Baku.
Azerbaijan and Latvia established diplomatic ties in 1994. The South Caucasus republic opened an embassy in Latvia in 2005, its first one in the Baltic states. This was followed by the opening of the Latvian embassy in Azerbaijan in 2006.

Garabagh conflict
The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh must be settled peacefully and in compliance with international law, the Latvian president said.
According to Zatlers, there should be no haste in addressing the problem, which is dealt with by the mediating OSCE Minsk Group, and certain steps are being taken toward a solution to the long-standing dispute.
"We have to be attentive and careful. We would not want negotiations to end without result," Zatlers told the press.

Business ties
A business forum attended by Presidents Aliyev and Zatlers started in Baku on Tuesday.
Addressing the event, joined by over 100 representatives of Azerbaijani companies and 75 Latvian businessmen, Aliyev said economic ties between the two states have been expanding and bilateral commodities turnover increasing by the year. Efforts will be continued in the future to move forward cooperation between the two countries` entrepreneurs, the Azerbaijani leader pledged.
The president highlighted tremendous potential for boosting collaboration in the fields of information technologies, infrastructure, tourism and education, pointing out the importance of Azerbaijan Investment Company`s capitalizing on the comprehensive opportunities available.
Zatlers said in his remarks that, given the ongoing global economic downturn, both Latvia and Azerbaijan should joint effort, with a great brunt of responsibility resting with businesspeople. He termed the fact that 29 Latvian-Azerbaijani joint ventures are already operating and the trade turnover is rising as an outcome of efficient cooperation between the two countries.