Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani and Saudi Arabian officials have discussed bilateral relations in different spheres in Baku.

Deputy speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ziyafat Askerov met with members of the Saudi Arabia-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary Friendship Group on June 5.

Askerov said friendly and fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia have historical roots.

He said trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian relations between the countries are developing fast noting that inter-parliamentary relations play an important role in the relationship development.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Askerov said, despite four UN Security Council resolutions, Armenia continues the occupation of Azerbaijan's 20 percent of territories.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The conflict left more than one million Azerbaijanis displaced.

Askerov further noted that Armenia has made more than 30 terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan. He also briefed the Saudi officials on the Khojaly genocide, committed by the Armenian armed forces in early 1992.

He thanked Saudi Arabia for its continued support for integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Askerov said Azerbaijan appreciates the support of Saudi Arabia to its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2011.

Head of the Saudi Arabian delegation, Abdullah ibn Muhammad an-Nasir, in turn, said Azerbaijan is an integral part of the Islamic world. He also expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

He said given the fact that Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan are oil states, there are good opportunities for cooperation and exchange of information and experiences in the energy sector.

An-Nasir noted that Saudi Arabia has always supported peace across the globe, adding that the country's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged.

He said that Riyadh strongly condemns the terrorist acts committed by Armenians against Azerbaijan.

They also exchanged views on the prospects of cooperation in various fields.

Also, early in the day, Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade met members of the Saudi Arabia-Azerbaijan inter-parliamentary Friendship Group.

Speaking about the Saudi Arabia-Azerbaijan ties, Pashazade noted that relations between the two countries had been developing rapidly on all fronts.

He hailed the two countries` mutual support within international organizations.

Pashazade expressed confidence that relationship between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan would continue to expand.

He further said the high-level meetings contribute to developing ties between the two countries.

Pashazade also praised the role of the two countries` parliaments in strengthening these bonds.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pashazade thanked Saudi Arabia for supporting Azerbaijan`s fair position, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Referring to bilateral relations, An-Nasir praised the efforts of Azerbaijan`s national Leader Heydar Aliyev in establishing relationship between the two countries.

Chairman of the parliament Committee for International Relations and inter-parliamentary ties Samad Seyidov, Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Agrarian Policy Eldar Ibrahimov and MP Siyavush Novruzov also attended the meeting.