Baku, August 23, AssA-Irada

On August 23 Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller, who arrived in Baku on a two-day visit, discussed cooperation between the two countries, the situation in the South Caucasus region and around the world.

"We have held useful discussions and considered many facets of Azerbaijani-Danish collaboration in the political, economic and humanitarian fields", Mammadyarov told a news briefing following the meeting. He said that also discussed were issues related to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh.

Mammadyarov added that over the past seven years the government of Denmark has provided assistance worth $14 million to Azerbaijani refugees and displaced persons.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller, in turn, pointed out the strengthening ties between Denmark and Azerbaijan. He said the two countries are collaborating in fighting international terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and added that his visit to Azerbaijan further proves this.

With regard to possible facets of bilateral cooperation, Moller spoke of cooperation in the oil and energy sectors, the use of Danish experience in environmental protection in the course of oil production on the Caspian, developing democratic entities and ensuring the rule of law in social life.

The Danish official said that with the current tensions around the world, Azerbaijan and Denmark stand side by side and are collaborating in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, and in the area of combating weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. "We (Denmark) are very interested in this", he said.

Moller said that the Honorary Consulate of Denmark will be inaugurated in Azerbaijan on August 24. The consulate will be turned into an embassy shortly, he said.

Touching upon the Garabagh conflict, the Danish Foreign Minister said that in general, the European Union supports efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in resolving the problem. "The OSCE Minsk Group will find ways to settle the conflict suitable for both sides", he said. Moller stated that as an EU member-state, Denmark has always supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in international organizations.

The Danish Foreign Minister was also received by President Ilham Aliyev.