In focus of attention of Latvian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers – situation in South Caucasus, Nagorno-Karabakh and energy policy [11 Aug 2009]

On 11 August, during the visit by President Valdis Zatlers to Azerbaijan, a bilateral meeting was held between Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov. During the meeting the parties reviewed the current situation in South Caucasus region, the co-operation of the European Union with the Eastern Partnership countries, including on the issues of energy and security.

Both ministers expressed satisfaction over the active political dialogue between Latvia and Azerbaijan and noted the visit by Minister Riekstins to Baku in April this year when successful contacts were made between business people of both countries. The ministers shared the opinion that the state visit by President Zatlers to Azerbaijan gives an additional impetus for the strengthening of relations. As a vital mechanism for taking forward the existing co-operation Maris Riekstins also highlighted the third meeting of the Latvia-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission which takes place on 11-12 August in Baku on the sidelines of the presidential visit and provides a broad representation of both the Latvian and Azerbaijani entrepreneurs.

The foreign ministers of Latvia and Azerbaijan discussed the current political situation in the region of South Caucasus with a particular focus on Azerbaijan's neighbouring countries including the situation in Iran following the presidential election, as well as exchanged opinions on the relations between the countries of the region and the EU and the Russian Federation.

Other topics for discussion included energy policy, given the significance of Azerbaijan as a strategic partner to the EU in energy projects, and its role both in gas and oil industry and the transit of energy resources. Regarding this, the parties noted further development of the Nabucco gas pipeline project.

An important issue in the discussion for both ministers was the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the engagement of the international community in its peaceful settlement and forecasts on possible developments in this respect. "We support the efforts by the OSCE's Minsk group to achieve a peaceful regulation in Nagorno-Karabakh, being aware that the ability to solve frozen conflicts is one of the most vital issues on the OSCE agenda and, at the same time, the question of the organisation's credibility," Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins pointed out during the discussion.

Both parties also discussed the initiative of the Russian Federation concerning a new European security infrastructure. The Latvian Foreign Minister emphasised that, for further discussions within the OSCE, the point of reference first of all should be the evaluation of the compliance with current commitments. "We cannot speak about new principles whilst ignoring obligations undertaken so far; consequently, it is important to strengthen the existing security structures and promote confidence," Minister Riekstins noted.

The state visit by President Valdis Zatlers to Azerbaijan takes place from 9 August to 12 August this year.