Azeri president praises improving ties with Europe, USA

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has expressed his satisfaction with the recent development of Baku's relations with the European Union and the United States.


Speaking at a cabinet meeting [on 9 April], Aliyev recalled that high-ranking officials of the European Commission - two of its vice-presidents - visited Azerbaijan in the first quarter of this year.


"Energy, political and economic, security issues, and others were discussed during the meeting. Last year 2015, the president of the European Commission visited Azerbaijan. We are currently working on a new format of cooperation," Aliyev said.


He also expressed his satisfaction with his invitation to the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. "If to take into account that Azerbaijan is not a nuclear power, there is no nuclear power station in Azerbaijan, the nuclear industry has not developed, then the invitation of Azerbaijan to this prestigious event is an indication of respect for us by the US government and its president, and an indication of our role in the region. It shows that Azerbaijan is a very reliable partner in the prevention of illicit traffic of nuclear materials," Aliyev said.


The Azerbaijani president said that he had "very good, fruitful and sincere conversations, talks with the political leadership of the United States during the visit". "These talks once again show that the connection between us is very important for both sides. We are working together in many spheres; these connections open up new possibilities for both sides. The main issues on the agenda here are both political ties and cooperation in the field of energy, security, trade, economic issues," Aliyev said.

www.ann.az