ID :
40733
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 09:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/40733
The shortlink copeid
ESTONIAN PRESIDENT GIVES INTERVIEW TO AZERBAIJAN PUBLIC TV
Baku, January 14 (AzerTAc)- Visiting Azerbaijan, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves gave an interview to the local Public Television.
The interview covered various aspects of the Azerbaijan-Estonia relations, including
the cooperation between the two countries within the European Neighborhood policy,
as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, energy security issues and the role of
Azerbaijani community in Estonia in strengthening bilateral ties.
President Ilves described the current state of the Azerbaijan-Estonia relationship
as very good. “Our relations are very good but we need more,” he said.
The Estonian leader especially stressed that the “European foreign policy must pay
more attention to neighbors.” “We think that Azerbaijan is a key country in this
regard, especially when we look at the energy situation in Europe today,” he said
adding “it`s very shortsighted not to pay more attention to Azerbaijan.”
On the role of Azerbaijan in ensuring energy security of Europe, the President said:
“I think the recent crisis that we`ve seen shows that dependence on only one source
of energy, one source of natural gas, is harmful to Europe.” In this connection, he
stressed the need for more serious approach to the Nabucco project.
President Ilves praised the contribution of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Estonia to
strengthening bilateral relations. “We are very proud of Azeri Estonians, who are
Estonian citizens and who are taking an active part in political life of the
country,” he said.
Asked about Estonia`s position towards Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, Toomas Hendrik Ilves said his country has always respected the
principle of territorial integrity of states. “Estonia has always demanded the
respect for territorial integrity of countries. War is never a way to accomplish
anything, he said adding: Nagorno-Karabakh is “not only your issue but it`s the
problem of many countries, and the principle that we must stand by is territorial
integrity,” he said.
The interview covered various aspects of the Azerbaijan-Estonia relations, including
the cooperation between the two countries within the European Neighborhood policy,
as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, energy security issues and the role of
Azerbaijani community in Estonia in strengthening bilateral ties.
President Ilves described the current state of the Azerbaijan-Estonia relationship
as very good. “Our relations are very good but we need more,” he said.
The Estonian leader especially stressed that the “European foreign policy must pay
more attention to neighbors.” “We think that Azerbaijan is a key country in this
regard, especially when we look at the energy situation in Europe today,” he said
adding “it`s very shortsighted not to pay more attention to Azerbaijan.”
On the role of Azerbaijan in ensuring energy security of Europe, the President said:
“I think the recent crisis that we`ve seen shows that dependence on only one source
of energy, one source of natural gas, is harmful to Europe.” In this connection, he
stressed the need for more serious approach to the Nabucco project.
President Ilves praised the contribution of the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Estonia to
strengthening bilateral relations. “We are very proud of Azeri Estonians, who are
Estonian citizens and who are taking an active part in political life of the
country,” he said.
Asked about Estonia`s position towards Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh, Toomas Hendrik Ilves said his country has always respected the
principle of territorial integrity of states. “Estonia has always demanded the
respect for territorial integrity of countries. War is never a way to accomplish
anything, he said adding: Nagorno-Karabakh is “not only your issue but it`s the
problem of many countries, and the principle that we must stand by is territorial
integrity,” he said.
