Azerbaijan and Canada develop relations successfully
By Sara Rajabova
Speaker of Azerbaijan`s Parliament Oqtay Asadov has met Canadian delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, chairman of the Canada-Azerbaijan Friendship Group Barry Devolin.
Asadov said Azerbaijan put special emphasis on its overall relationship with Canada, adding there were great opportunities for further expanding the cooperation in the political, economical, cultural and other fields.
The Speaker highlighted the establishment of legal base for further developing comprehensive relations, as well as holding the business forums and round tables and organizing the reciprocal visits of the businessmen of both countries.
Speaking of economic development and large range of projects carried out in Azerbaijan, Asadov also briefed Devolin on history and consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
He also praised Parliaments` role on developing relations between the two countries, as well as establishment of the friendship group in both countries` legal bodies.
Devolin, in turn, highlighted Azerbaijan`s regional position, adding there were good opportunities for further developing relations.
On the same day, the Canadian delegation met with the chairmen of political parties represented in Azerbaijani parliament.
Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan`s ruling Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party, MP Mubariz Gurbanli stressed the importance of the visit of the Canadian delegation in terms of developing the relations between the two countries.
Devolin stressed the significance of his visit to Baku and expressed satisfaction with the visit.
Chairman of the National Revival Movement Party, MP Faraj Guliyev, chairman of Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party Asim Mollazade, chairman of Civil Solidarity Party and head of the working group for the Azerbaijan-Canada Inter-Parliamentary relations Sabir Rustamkhanli made remarks dealing with numerous issues, inlcuding the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian aggression against Azerbaijanis, Khojali Genocide, etc.
The Canadian delegation's visit was jointly organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Canada, Yeni Azerbaijan Party and the Azerbaijani Parliament.
The visit will end on Sunday.
Canada recognized the independence of the Azerbaijan Republic on December 25, 1991 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on August 10, 1992.
The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Canada totaled $16.75 million in 2011. Azerbaijan exports crude oil and oil products to Canada and imports meat products, paper, optical and measuring instruments, machines and equipment from this country.