From the speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with the foreign minister of Denmark and chairman of OSCE Nails Petersen - Strasburg, October 10, 1997


Heydar Aliyev: Mr. Petersen! I welcome you and declare that I am very glad to meet you as the chairman of OSCE. I would like to talk about the activity of the Minsk Group, and on bilateral cooperation of our countries.

Nails Petersen: We want to help Azerbaijan in the frames of the Minsk Group and I am aware of the proposals of the cochairs of the Minsk Group to intensify the peace negotiations. 

Heydar Aliyev: Perhaps, later there can be correction in the proposals of the co-chairs, but at present we consider it as a base for intensifying the negotiations.

While talking about the activity of OSCE in the solution of the Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict I emphasize that this organization did a lot in Budapest in 1995, adopted three principles for the peaceful settlement of the conflict in Lisbon in 1995.

Mr. Petersen! I hope that you'll assist to the settle of this problem as the chairman of OSCE. Come to our country and get acquainted with the conflict.

Nails Petersen: Mr. President, I thank you for your high estimation of the activity of Minsk Group. I am very glad for the progress achieved in the solution of the Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict, and highly appreciate your role as President of Azerbaijan. I inform you that I am going to visit the region for close acquaintance with the situation. While talking about the comprehensive negotiations, I want to declare as the foreign minister of Denmark that my country is interested in the economic relations with Azerbaijan. Besides, Denmark intents to render humanitarian aid to the refuges in your country.

Heydar Aliyev: Our country appointed its ambassador in Britain Mahmud Memmedquliyev Denmark ambassador as well. Soon he'll come to your country to introduce his credential letter. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Minister, I invite your to pay an official visit to our country.

''Our independence is eternal'' twentieth binding, Azerneshr, Baku-2004, page 293