Azernews.Az

Political relations between Morocco and Azerbaijan are very good. Both countries are cooperating together not only to defend their own national interests, but also to defend the national interests of many other friendly countries, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Azerbaijan Hassan Hami said in an interview with Trend in connection with Morocco's national holiday - anniversary of King Mohamed VI's accession to the throne.

"The two countries are working to raise the level of economic relations to the level of political relations," the diplomat said.

"We should first sign an agreement on "Avoiding double taxation", an agreement on "Promotion and protection of investments" and in other spheres to develop economic relations," he added.

"Draft agreements are ready for signing," he added. "We look forward to the next meeting of the joint commission on bilateral cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Moroccan governments in the near future. The agreements will be signed during this meeting. This is very important for the entrepreneurs of the two countries to make investments."

"Morocco is ready to offer Azerbaijan its expertise," he stressed. "Azerbaijan also has expertise in many other fields. The two countries are ready to cooperate and to coordinate both governments' efforts."

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

"Rabat thinks that the only way to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is negotiations," he said. "Azerbaijan, Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group are trying to find a solution. But the solution to the problem depends on the parties in the conflict - Azerbaijan and Armenia. The conflict must be resolved in a manner respecting Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty."

"Many resolutions on this conflict were adopted," he added. "All of them favor Azerbaijan. That is why we hope that the negotiations will bring results soon and I think that the international community, in particular, the OIC, to which Morocco also belongs, supports Azerbaijan on this issue. We hope that the negotiations will bring results in the foreseeable future."

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

Bilateral visits

According to Hami, the number of visits between the two countries increases every year.

"Three ministers from Morocco, members of parliament and other officials visited Azerbaijan this year," he added. "An Azerbaijani delegation also paid a visit to Morocco."

"The next meeting of the joint commission will be held in Rabat this year," he stressed. This commission is chaired by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his Moroccan counterpart Saad Eddine El Othmani. The date of the meeting is being coordinated. Several Moroccan officials, in particular ministers, the speaker of the parliament and others are expected to visit Azerbaijan in October."