Azernews.Az

Resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict is pivotal for stability and comprehensive cooperation in the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told a top-level meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday.
Delivering a presentation on Azerbaijan's role as a source of energy for Europe, President Aliyev spoke of his country's policy aimed at European integration and regional cooperation as well as large-scale energy projects, including the NABUCCO pipeline that will carry gas from the Middle East and Central Asia to energy-thirsty European markets via Turkey and the Balkans.
Aliyev also briefed the attendees on Azerbaijan's rampant economic development.
The Davos event, which draws presidents, top officials and business leaders from around the world every year, was held in Davos, Switzerland last week.
On the sidelines of the event, Aliyev had meetings with the Hungarian prime minister and secretary-general of the Jewish committee of the United States. The head of state also met with his Ukrainian and Swiss counterparts on Thursday.
In a meeting with the Azerbaijani leader, Swiss Confederation President Pascal Couchepin said Swiss companies took great interest in Azerbaijan. The Swiss leader said he was closely following the ongoing developments in Azerbaijan and was well aware of the country's economic achievements.
President Aliyev elaborated on the achievements gained in Azerbaijan's oil and non-oil sectors, saying his country's role in ensuring European energy security was rising. The Azerbaijani leader also said he was interested in establishing multi-faceted cooperation with Switzerland.
Aliyev's meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko focused on issues concerning the development of relations and strategic partnership between the two countries. Certain projects and issues of energy cooperation were tabled as well.
The presidents stressed the importance of the countries' joint activity in the implementation of various projects.
On the same day, President Aliyev met with senior officials of several foreign countries. Aliyev discussed bilateral political and economic relations with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and the leader of the African National Congress Jacob Zuma.
The Azerbaijani leader also received Chairman of the British financial media company Euromoney Institutional Investor Padraic Fallon. The two mulled current economic situation and investment opportunities in Azerbaijan.
In a meeting with Anthony Hayward, the BP Group Chief Executive Officer, Aliyev expressed hope that successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the oil giant would further expand.
President Aliyev also met with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Cisco Chief Executive Officer John Chambers.