Azernews.Az

BAKU – The Netherlands supports a strictly peaceful settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh complying with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Dutch Senate President Rene van Der Linden said on a visit to Baku Wednesday.

"Resolving the conflict peacefully is crucial, because as long as such a solution has not been found, settlement of numerous issues in the region could complicate. The Azerbaijani president adheres to a constructive position on the issue. In particular, his taking UN resolutions as a basis is very appropriate."

Linden said the Netherlands believes the mediating OSCE Minsk Group should put forth new proposals to speed a solution of the long-standing Karabakh conflict.

Linden’s visit to Baku, which started Tuesday, aims to discuss expansion of bilateral relations.

President Ilham Aliyev hosted the Dutch official on Wednesday.

Linden expressed content with another visit paid to Azerbaijan and the close and friendly relations his country maintains with the South Caucasus republic.

He noted that after serving as president of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, he headed the Dutch-Azerbaijani friendship group, adding that as president of the Dutch Senate he also highly appreciates the Netherlands’ ties with Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev welcomed Linden’s chairing the bilateral friendship group in the past. Aliyev expressed hope that the political, economic and other relations between the two countries would further expand.

He pointed to vast potential for boosting bilateral cooperation, saying the Dutch Senate president’s visit to Baku would contribute to the strengthening of bilateral ties.

During Linden’s meeting with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the parties praised the close relationship between the Dutch and Azerbaijani parliaments and the high level of cooperation within numerous international organizations.

Mammadyarov stressed the importance of boosting Azerbaijan- Netherlands relations in the economic, energy and agriculture sectors, saying this could be done both on the bilateral level and as part of Baku’s cooperation with the European Union.

Touching on the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Linden shared with the Azerbaijani side his country’s experience in this area and voiced confidence that the November vote will successfully take place.

Linden also had a meeting with Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov.

During the visit to last till Friday, he is also expected to familiarize himself with Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural monuments.