Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A group of Azerbaijani MPs explored ways of boosting bilateral relations with the Latvia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group in a meeting in Latvia.

The group was led by Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Latvia interparliamentary friendship group Rovshan Rzayev.

The meeting also included Azerbaijani ambassador to Latvia Elman Zeynalov, Head of the Latvia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group Janis Reirs, Azerbaijani MPs Fuad Muradov and Chingiz Asadullayev, as well as members of the five Latvian political fractions.

Speaking at the event, Janis Reirs emphasized the importance of developing the relations between the MPs of the two countries, adding that that the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima (parliament) Solvita Aboltina would visit Baku next spring.

Rzayev in turn highlighted the recent presidential election in Azerbaijan, describing it as transparent and democratic, and emphasized the importance of reciprocal visits for the expansion of bilateral relations.

He also proposed holding a joint business forum in the framework of the Latvian Saeima speaker's trip to Baku.

Touching upon regional security and the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said that this dispute is a big threat to the economic development of the South Caucasus, drawing the Latvian MPs' attention to "the fact that Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territories are still under occupation".

Rzayev also said that Azerbaijan wanted the international community to make efforts aimed at building confidence between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh's communities in order to balance a dialogue between them.

Azerbaijan's Ambassador Zeynalov expressed confidence that the Azerbaijan-Latvia interparliamentary bonds would continue to develop.

He also spoke about a visit by a group of Latvian MPs to Armenia, saying "I believe they will not respond to the provocations of the Armenian side and will not visit the occupied territories of Azerbaijan".

Then Azerbaijani MP Fuad Muradov talked about the significance of furthering economic relations between the two countries, saying that Azerbaijan which had rich resources of energy played the leading role in ensuring European energy security.

In turn, Latvian MPs hailed the trade and economic relations between the two countries which reached $6.68 million in the first 6 months of 2013.

According to Latvia's statistics body, the foreign trade turnover between Latvia and Azerbaijan reached 27 million euros in 2011, which was 45 percent more than 2010.

Export of goods and services accounted for 23 million euros (a 45 percent increase), whilst the import of goods and services was 4 million euros (a 50 percent increase).

In 2011, Latvia exported goods worth18.1 million euros to Azerbaijan and imported goods worth 3.3 million euros from Azerbaijan.

During the first three quarters of 2012, Latvia exported goods worth 12.1 million euros to Azerbaijan and imported goods worth 1.3 million euros from Azerbaijan.

The main goods exported from Latvia to Azerbaijan consist of animals, metal, food, and chemical products. Mineral and food products are mainly imported from Azerbaijan.