"Armenian leadership's lack of political will drive negotiations to failure"

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov received the delegation led by Chairman of the California Senate Environmental Quality Committee, Senator Joseph Simitian.

Press service of the Foreign Ministry said that Khalafov noted strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and USA and informed the guests that Azerbaijan attached special importance to the relations with the US’ subjects. Khalafov also underlined that the efforts were made towards deepening of cooperation with the State of California in all spheres.

Underlining the implementation of significant projects in the South Caucasus and Caspian basin on the initiative and direct participation of Azerbaijan, informed about continuation of US-Azerbaijan cooperation in global and regional issues and noted that the cooperation on combating international terrorism was continuing successfully between two countries.

At the same time, Khalafov noted the relations between legislative bodies were attaining vital importance and said that the mutual visits played a role of bridge in the development of bilateral relations.

Informing about Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Khalafov noted the occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, spoke about problems of refugees and IDPs. Noting economical backwardness of Armenia, Khalafov said that the unreadiness of Armenian political leadership to liberate Azerbaijani lands peacefully exposed the negotiations to the failure.

Deputy Minister assessed Armenia’s occupational policy as a main obstacle to the establishment of peace and stability in the region, said that the results of the aggression were not accepted by the world community.

Californian senators noted that Azerbaijan had a strategic significance and highly assessed its role in the region. Noting that they were deeply impressed by rapid development of Azerbaijan, the Californian senators took interest in Azerbaijan’s future role in the region.


/APA/