Netherlands interested in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in energy sphere

The Netherlands are interested in developing cooperation with Azerbaijan, in particular in the energy sector, the head of the foreign ministry of the Netherlands Bert Koenders said at a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov, the message of the foreign ministry of Azerbaijan said Sept.28.

Touching upon the recent resolution of the European Parliament against Azerbaijan during the meeting, Elmar Mammadyarov said that it is of a biased, anti-Azerbaijani and Islamophobic nature and causes serious damage to relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

The head of the Azerbaijani foreign ministry also informed the Dutch counterpart about the unconstructive position of Armenia in the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said that the Armenian armed forces must withdraw from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan in accordance with the four UN Security Council resolutions in order to resolve the conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on issues of radicalism and xenophobia.

Azerbaijani foreign minister said that the rise of these negative trends in the world is a major concern. He also informed about the rich traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The meeting took place within the framework of participation in the 70th UN General Assembly session.

/By Trend/