Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

The significance of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe was high on the agenda of talks between President Ilham Aliyev and an OSCE PA delegation in Baku on January 25.

The delegation was led by Vice-Presidents of the OSCE PA George Tsereteli and Kent Harstedt, and OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella.

Speaking at the meeting, Tsereteli described Azerbaijan as a priority for the organization, and also expressed his gratitude to President Aliyev for Azerbaijan's participation in the projects carried out by the OSCE.

He also hailed the successful implementation of cooperation with Azerbaijan so far, and noted that they want to elevate this cooperation to a new level in the spirit of constructiveness and understanding.

Tsereteli noted with regret that because of his illness OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva was unable to visit Azerbaijan.

President Aliyev expressed hope that Tsereteli's visit to Baku will be fruitful and beneficial for both sides.

The sides also exchanged views over the deepening of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OSCE PA.

Tsereteli is scheduled to hold meetings in the Parliament and the Government of Azerbaijan during his visit. The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will also be discussed during the talks.

Prior to the meeting with President Aliyev, Tsereteli told journalists that the OSCE is concerned over the escalation of tensions on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.

He said that the only way to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is through peace negotiations under the OSCE Minsk Group mandate.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.

Armenia continues the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal. Peace talks brokered by mediators from Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.

The OSCE PA delegation has today visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The delegation also put flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

They then visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

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