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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. A special
conference of the International Conference of Asian Political
Parties (ICAPP) on 'Security and cooperation: role of political
parties', organized by the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), was held in
Baku, trend reports on November 22.
Deputy Chairman - Head of the YAP Central Office Tahir Budagov
delivered an opening speech at the event.
According to Budagov, global threats are increasing, and at such
a time there is an even greater need for dialogue and
cooperation.
'Under the leadership of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a
lot of work has been done and continues to be done to restore
stability, and achieve peace and cooperation in the region,' he
said.
The official also said that the coexistence of representatives
of various ethnic and religious groups in conditions of tolerance
in Azerbaijan is a national treasure of the country.
As Budagov noted, for about 30 years, Azerbaijani lands were
occupied by Armenia. Despite all the attempts of Azerbaijan to
reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict, Armenia continued its
destructive policy and military provocations.
On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive
operation and liberated its occupied lands, thereby implementing
the provisions of the well-known four UN resolutions, he
reminded.
Nudagov also stressed that in the post-conflict period, Armenia
refuses to fulfill its obligations under the tripartite statement
signed on November 10, 2020.
Head of the Department for Relations with Political Parties and
Legislative Power of the Presidential Administration Adalat Valiyev
read out a congratulatory letter from the President of Azerbaijan,
chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Ilham Aliyev, addressed to the
conference participants.
Co-Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee, former Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and former Director of
the National Assembly Office Chung Eui-yong wished success to the
participants of the conference.
He stressed that Azerbaijan has passed a successful path of
development, and also spoke about the challenges that the world
faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chung Eu-yong noted that all conflicts should be resolved
peacefully.
Member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Afif Demirkiran
said that political parties can promote security and engage in
dialogue in this area.
'Conflicts affect the world as a whole,' he said.
Demirkiran also spoke about the work done by Türkiye to create a
'grain corridor' in the Black Sea.
'Türkiye takes a strategic position and plays an important role
in Asia. We make an important contribution to regional and global
security. Today, Türkiye provides its support in solving security,
trade and energy problems,' the MP added.
Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Committee on
International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Ties Samad Seyidov
noted that Azerbaijan offered Armenia to sign a peace treaty.
Seyidov stressed that Armenia should renounce territorial
claims, delimitation and demarcation should be carried out, and
communications should be opened.
He expressed hope that the political parties in Armenia will
also agree with this, just like the political parties in
Azerbaijan, adding that the country strives for peace in the
region.
Member of the Bureau of the Supreme Council of the United Russia
Party, and Vice-Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of
the Russian Counsel of Federation Andrey Klimov thanked Azerbaijan
for organizing the event and stressed the importance of
implementing the principles set in the documents adopted by
ICAPP.
Deputy Chairman for External Relations of Türkiye's ruling
Justice and Development Party Mehmet Ceylan expressed confidence
that the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be
signed on the basis of the principle of territorial integrity and
stressed that historical conditions had arisen in the region to
ensure sustainable peace and stability.
According to him, Turkish-Azerbaijani solidarity is currently
stronger than ever, and relations between the two countries have
reached the highest level since the signing of the Shusha
Declaration.
Speaking about the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from Armenian
occupation, Board Member of the New Azerbaijan Party Aynur Sofiyeva
noted that Azerbaijani citizens suffer from the mine problem in the
post-war period, and it will take 30 years and $25 billion to clear
Azerbaijani territories from mines.
'The parties participating in the conference will make an
important contribution to solving the pressing problems of today.
Azerbaijan will also continue to contribute to global security,'
Sofiyeva said.
ICAPP Secretary-General Cho Byung-jae noted that President Ilham
Aliyev sent very important messages to the conference
participants.
Cho Byung-jae also thanked for the hospitality.
Then he informed about the statement on the conference
results.
The statement noted that regional and global security were
discussed at the conference.
'It's important that political parties take advantage of
opportunities to ensure global security. Political parties
represent different countries and societies, and tolerance. Despite
ideological differences, all parties have common values such as
security, stability and cooperation. For ensuring global security
it's important to implement cooperation between political parties,
and hold regular meetings,' the statement said.
The conference statement also emphasized that the trilateral
statement signed on November 10, 2020 between the leaders of
Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia [following the Second Karabakh War]
created broad opportunities for peace and security between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, in the South Caucasus.
'At the same time, the trilateral statement creates the basis
for sustainable security in the region,' the statement said.
Deputy Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov in his
speech stressed his confidence that ICAPP will continue to make a
great contribution to peace and security in Asia.
He also noted the possibility of putting forward an initiative
to establish an Asian Security Conference to be held annually or
every two years.
Ahmadov also appreciated the liberation of Azerbaijani lands as
a contribution to global security.