Minister for Foreign Affairs George W. Vella is in Baku on an official visit to hold discussions with the country's Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and Head of State.
The broadening of cooperation between Malta and Azerbaijan and intensification of EU-Azerbaijan relations were discussed at length during Minister Vella's meeting with President Aliyev, the Department of Information said. The two countries will be looking at expanding upon existing potential in the commercial, investment, educational and people to people contacts. Minister Vella underlined the importance that Malta attaches to closer relations between the EU and its partners in the Eastern neighbourhood and welcomed the clear signals given by Azerbaijan on its commitment to engage more deeply with the EU.
Minister Vella and Foreign Minister Mammadyrov signed three agreements concerning the Avoidance of Double Taxation, Cooperation in Youth and Sport and Political Consultations between respective Foreign Ministries. The Azeri Minister elaborated on his country's commitment to taking relations with Malta to a new and wider dimension, which goes beyond energy cooperation. Minister Mammadyrov confirmed that increased contacts with the European Union are presently very high on Azerbaijan's agenda. Malta's support in this regard was solicited. On his part, Minister Vella welcomed the visible improvement in relations between Baku and Brussels and reiterated Malta's support in this regard. As holder of the rotating EU Presidency in the first half of 2017, Malta will take this relationship forward on the basis of a system of values and guaranteed civil liberties.
The recent tensions with Armenia in Nagorno-Karabach featured prominently in all of Minister Vella's meetings. Minister Vella stated that this protracted conflict remains a source of great concern, especially as the region is already very volatile. The priority remains that of both sides respecting the cease-fire agreement and refrain from use of force. The solution to the conflict is not a military but a political one. He lauded the work being carried out by both the EU and the OSCE to bring the parties closer to negotiations.
The above issues were also raised at length during Minister Vella's meeting with the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Rasi-zada.
Minister Vella will be meeting his Azeri counterpart in the coming weeks, during the Eastern Partnership Ministerial Meeting that will be held in Brussels on 23 May.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1rpasTV
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