Estonia interested in Azerbaijan's market
By Nigar Orujova
Bilateral relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan in the field of agriculture are at a good level, Estonian Agriculture Minister Ivari Padar said to Azertag state news agency.
Padar said that mutual visits of two sides' agricultural ministers would strengthened cooperation between them.
In 2012, during the visit of the former Agriculture Minister Helir-Valdor Seeder to Azerbaijan, issues of cooperation in the field of agriculture were discussed.
In the spring 2013, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan Bahram Aliyev attended the International Conference "Agroforum Balticum" held in Tartu.
In this May, Deputy Secretary General for Fisheries Policy and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Estonian Agriculture Ministry, Olavi Petron visited the 20th Azerbaijan International Food Industry Exhibition and the 8th International Exhibition of Azerbaijani agriculture.
Padar said both sides are interested in closer cooperation. "However, given the geographical distance between our countries, there is just a regular communication at the moment."
He expressed hope that a closer cooperation will be achieved between Estonia and Azerbaijan in the near future.
The very good prospects for the development of relations in the field of agriculture were also discussed.
"There is a draft treaty on cooperation in the field of agriculture between the ministries of the two countries. Currently it is at the last stage of approval. Signing of this agreement, I hope, will be the starting point of a fruitful cooperation between Estonia and Azerbaijan," Padar said.
The Azerbaijani market is of particular interest for Estonian entrepreneurs, he added.
Moreover, he said, given the specificity of agricultural products between the two countries, they are interested in each others' markets like Estonian dairy, meat and fish products and Azerbaijani fruit, juices and cognac.
Padar stressed that he would like to meet Azerbaijan's Agriculture Minister Heydar Asadov in Estonia.
"A suitable format for such a visit would pave the way for holding the above-mentioned annual conference Agroforum Balticum that will be held in Tartu in April 2015," he added.
Azerbaijan's role in European energy security
Foreign Ministry of Estonia has sent its ambassador to Baku to develop bilateral relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan.
The Ministry added that diplomat Jaap Ora will be representing interests of the business sector and citizens of Estonia in Azerbaijan.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said Estonia sees good opportunities in relations with Azerbaijan for mutually beneficial development.
"Azerbaijan plays an important role in the energy security of Europe," he underlined.
Ora has been in Baku since last week. He will deal with development of bilateral economic, political, cultural ties with Azerbaijan.
Estonian embassy was opened in Baku on August 29.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are well developed and the two sides enjoy opportunities for deepening the relations.
Estonia supports territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.