Azerbaijan, Austria mull cooperation (UPDATE)
By Nazrin Gadimova
President of Azerbaijan received an Austrian delegation led by Second President of the National Council Karlheinz Kopf on April 2.
President Aliyev said relations between the two countries have developed successfully, pointing to his visit to Austria last year, particularly his meetings with business circles.
The head of state praised the activities of Austrian companies in Azerbaijan, expressing hope that Kopf's visit to Azerbaijan would contribute to expanding inter-parliamentary ties between the two countries.
Kopf, in turn, congratulated the president on Azerbaijan's economic development and hailed the ongoing rapid development processes in Baku.
The Austrian delegation also met Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov.
Speaking at the meeting, Asadov said high-level reciprocal visits and discussions held and the documents signed during the high-level meetings established a strong legal framework for the overall enhancement of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Austria.
Saying that Azerbaijan-Austria ties had ancient roots, he emphasized the role of the two countries' presidents in expanding bilateral bonds, as well as the role of the parliaments.
The speaker also highlighted development processes in Azerbaijan in the last ten years, and the country's European integration policy.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Asadov urged the international community to increase efforts towards solving the dispute.
"Armenia continues to occupy 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories, ignoring the four resolutions of the United Nations Security Council," he said. "But, unfortunately, no sanctions have ever been imposed against Armenia."
Second President of the Austrian National Council Karlheinz Kopf, in turn, hailed his country's relationship with Azerbaijan for developing rapidly.
He also lauded Azerbaijan's achievements, saying they were made in a short period of time.
Kopf also expressed Austria's readiness to support Azerbaijan's European integration efforts.
Earlier, the Austrian delegation visited the Azerbaijani Parliament, and discussed inter-parliamentary ties and prospects for cooperation in a variety of fields.
Head of the working group on Azerbaijan-Austria inter-parliamentary ties Javid Gurbanov said bilateral relations between the two countries were based on ancient historical roots, adding that Austria was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.
Kopf said Austria is interested in enhancing bilateral ties with Azerbaijan, and expressed confidence that they will continue to expand.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov also received the delegation headed by Kopf. The sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of relations between the countries and emphasized the important role of inter-parliamentary relations in development of cooperation.
The meeting discussed the prospects for relations in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and tourism areas.
The Austrian delegation then met with country's Economy and Industry Minister Shahin Mustafayev.
Mustafayev said the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Austria increased by nearly 85 percent in 2013.
Mustafayev noted that political and economic ties between the two countries are developing successfully, as well as a strong legal basis is created. He added that there are over 50 Austrian companies operating in different fields of Azerbaijani economy.
He also informed the guests about the reforms taking place in the country's economy, as well as a favorable geographical position of the country and the non-oil sector as a priority area for cooperation.
The meeting emphasized the role of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and similar structures in establishing relations between business people of the two countries.
Speaking about the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mustafayev noted that Armenia does not fulfill UN Security Council resolution adopted on the conflict, and keeps under the occupation 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory.
Kopf, in turn, voiced his satisfaction with the development of relations between the countries and praised Azerbaijan's achievements, noting Austria's interest in further development of relations with the country.
Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev also met with the Austrian delegation. He briefed the delegation about the development of relations in the sphere of culture and tourism with other countries.
He noted the importance of regular high-level meetings for establishing cultural cooperation, in particular tourism.
"Acquaintance with Azerbaijan will allow you to learn more about tourism opportunities of our country and establish a more active tourism exchange," Garayev said.
The minister also emphasized the role of the presidents of the two countries in the development of relations.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February, 1992. The legal framework for bilateral cooperation includes 38 documents.
Earlier, Baku hosted an Azerbaijani-Austrian Business Forum organized by AZPROMO with the support of Azerbaijan's Economy and Industry Ministry.
Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Austria was about $333.46 million in the first eleven months of 2013, Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee reported. Azerbaijan's imports from Austria amounted to $79.58 million, while exports to Austria amounted to $253.88 million during this period.