Azerbaijan, Lithuania aim to boost trade, economic cooperation

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and Lithuania seek to increase efforts to expand trade and economic cooperation according to an agreement reached during a meeting of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov with a delegation of Lithuania’s parliament, the Seimas.

The delegation was headed by Seimas Deputy Speaker Gediminas Kirkilas, the Foreign Ministry reported on April 24.

The sides noted the importance of transport corridors. Speaking about the North-South project, they noted that the project will connect the Baltic region with the Indian Ocean via railways, and Lithuanian companies will get great benefit from that.

The importance of expanding the two countries’ inter-parliamentary ties was also noted during the meeting.

The Azerbaijani minister informed officials of Lithuania about the negotiations on the new strategic partnership agreement with the EU and highlighted Lithuania’s support in development of relations with the EU.

Moreover, Mammadyarov gave information about the negotiation on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Mammadyarov, who is on an official visit in Lithuania, also met with his Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevicius.

The ministers discussed the current status of the bilateral relations and issues on the agenda of Azerbaijan and Lithuania. The positive development of the relations and steady growth of trade turnover between the two countries was praised. 

The sides stated that the diplomatic relations between the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and Lithuania was established back in 1918, and the Consulate of Lithuania was opened in ADR. In this context, it was gladly mentioned  the countries will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.

Mammadyarov further briefed his counterpart about the current status of negotiation process on the draft strategic partnership agreement between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

Linkevi?ius noted that Lithuania supports the negotiations on the draft agreement and development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU. Touching upon the importance of twinning projects in cooperation with the EU, he added that his country stands ready to continue the projects, which remain interesting for Azerbaijan. 

During the meeting, the ministers reviewed the expansion of the legal-treaty base and activity of Joint Intergovernmental Commission. They also noted successful cooperation in the field of education. It was noted that currently more than 200 students from Azerbaijan are enrolled by Lithuanian Universities. 

Mammadyarov touched upon the negotiations process on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and stated the importance of expressing EU's commitment to the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and inviolability of borders of states in a common and unambiguous manner in respect of all conflicts.

The minister discussed the regional energy and transport projects and informed about the energy and transport projects launched with Azerbaijan’s initiative and participation, as well as Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railways, North-South corridor and TAP project.

After the meeting, the ministers held a joint press conference.