Historical background to the document "From talk of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with the speaker of the Polish Parliament Joseph Zeich" (Warsaw, Parliament Palace, August, 27, 1997)

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Republic of Poland were established on February 21, 1992 and the main direction of the activity was defined after 1993. The embassy of the Polish Republic opened in Azerbaijan on August 23, 2001, and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Poland on August 30, 2004. (http://www.mfa.gov.az/)

The first official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Poland on August 26-28, 1997, opened new prospects for the development of the mutual relations by expanding a legal-normative base regulating the bilateral relations, President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev met the Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski. Both presidents signed a declaration on the development of friendly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Republic of Poland. (see: Ali Hasanov, "Contemporary international relations and foreign policy of Azerbaijan", Baku-2004.)

During the meeting they also exchanged views on the development of mutual relations talked about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Polish President Kwasniewski stated that Poland was for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan in the settlement of the conflict.

In the framework of his visit Heydar Aliyev met the speaker of the Polish Parliament Joseph Zeich. During their talks Heydar Aliyev highly appreciated Poland`s position in NATO`s "Partnership for Peace Program" and considered Poland its important partner in Europe.

Touching the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Heydar Aliyev informed the speaker of the Polish Parliament comprehensively on it. He conveyed to his attention that violating the international law Armenia has occupied not only the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, but 7 districts adjacent to it. Heydar Aliyev hoped that the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group engaged in the solution of the conflict would give positive results.

The Azerbaijani-Polish relations developed on a rising line after the first official visit of the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Poland. The first official visit of the Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski to Azerbaijan on October 27-29, 1999, further expanded the contacts between the countries. In the tête-à-tête meeting of the both Presidents, they exchanged views on the bilateral relations, international situation and other issues. At the meeting of the Azerbaijani-Polish delegations, such an assurance was expressed that the relations between the two sates will expand further. Besides, the establishment of the Azerbaijani-Polish inter-parliamentary working group in the Azerbaijani Praliament in 2000, considerably influenced the strengthening of the relations between the two countries.

Ilham Aliyev, elected President of Azerbaijan in October 2003, also declared that he was interested in the development of relations with Poland. As a result of it, the Polish Embassy in Azerbaijani started its activity, and this factor considerably contributes to strengthening the relations between Poland and Azerbaijan. Visiting Poland on March 30-31, 2005, Ilham Aliyev met with the Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski. The Presidents noted that bilateral contacts in the spheres of policy, economy and others are on a high level. The Polish President stressed that Poland is ready to help our country in Azerbaijan`s integration into Europe, Euro-Atlantic region. During the visit agreements on defense, customs and economy were signed between the two countries. (http://www.president.az/)

Summit of GUAM was held in Kiev on May 22-23, 2006, alongside with participated by the presidents of Bulgaria, Lithuania and vice-president of Romania, the Polish President. He said that he was interested in the expansion of GUAM as a regional organization and in the establishment of close contacts among the member states, including Azerbaijan. (http://www.guam.org.ua/)

President Ilham Aliyev received the delegation of Poland headed by the Foreign Minister Ms. Anna Fatiga on February 28, 2007. During the meeting Ilham Aliyev said that he was satisfied with the development of relations between the two countries. In response, the Polish minister noted that her country attached great importance to the establishment of relations with Azerbaijan.

The Polish President Lech Kachinsky visited Azerbaijan on May 31, 2007. During the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Polish Presidents, Ilham Aliyev said that the relations between the two countries were normal and he was sure that they will grow further. In his turn, the Polish President Kachinsky said to his Azerbaijani colleague that he was content with the exchange of views on bilateral relations and international issues.

The Presidents signed a joint statement at the end of the meeting.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited Krakow, a Polish town, to participate in the energy summit held there on May 11, 2007. The Presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithuania, Poland and representative of Kazakhstan signed a communiqué on the results of the summit. The efforts of 6 countries were aimed at the delivery of the Caspian energy to Europe. During the meeting Ilham Aliyev said that his country was ready to join the Odessa-Brodi oil pipeline. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/)

Historical background was compiled on August 22, 2007.