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President of Estonia met with the Azerbaijani Defence Minister

05.12.2007

Today in Kadriorg, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abijev, who is visiting Tallinn and who brought the Estonian Head of State up to date on Baku’s assessment of the situation in South Caucasia, and more specifically the Caspian Sea region.

In respect to relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan, which is experiencing impressive economic development, the President of the Republic mentioned the European Neighborhood Policy plan of action as an important signpost. The plan places great importance on the peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the strengthening of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of war, the battle against corruption, support for balanced and sustainable economic development, and increased energy cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan.

According to the Estonian Head of State, the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict requires patience on behalf of all the parties and a wish to arrive at a peaceful result, because frozen conflicts cannot be resolved by war.

At the meeting, relations between NATO and Azerbaijan, which are becoming increasingly close and pragmatic, were also discussed.

President Ilves and Defence Minister Abijev spoke about the situation in Georgia and the role of Russia in South Caucasia and Central Asia.

“Azerbaijan, as the center of a region that is important strategically and especially from the viewpoint of energy security, has a great role to play in the stability and development of its region,” said President Ilves.

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