Azerbaijani FM meets German delegation

Baku, September 2 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has today met a German delegation comprising Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer, chairman of the Board of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, former Secretary General of the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts, former State Secretary, Karin Strenz, MP, chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of the Southern Caucasus, Raynold Robben, chair of the German-Israeli Society, Michael-Andreas Butz, Secretary General of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, former Secretary of State, and Rainer Lindner, CEO of the Eastern Committee of German Economy. Mammadyarov hailed the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Germany. He invited German companies to play more active role in various spheres of Azerbaijan’s economy, particularly in the non-oil sector. Highlighting the activities of the German-Azerbaijani Forum, Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer said this organization aims to contribute to deepening political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. He praised Azerbaijan's dynamic development, and stressed the country’s important role in ensuring regional peace and stability. Speaking about regional peace and security, Mammadyarov said the fact that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains unresolved was a main obstacle to comprehensive development of the region. He noted that the settlement of the dispute may open up new opportunities for the South Caucasus region. “Armenia should firstly withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories for the settlement of the conflict.” Karin Strenz noted that the reciprocal visits of the members of parliaments played an important role in the development of ties between the countries. The Azerbaijani Minister also underlined an important role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the expansion of cooperation among the countries. The sides also discussed regional issues of mutual interest.