Ladies and gentlemen!

As you know, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Nikos Kotzias is on an official visit in Azerbaijan. Today he has already been received by H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They discussed wide range of issues.

Afterwards Mr. Minister arrived in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We had a tete-a-tete meeting and also a meeting with participation of the delegations. As you know, a strong and wide cooperation gets developed between Azerbaijan and Greece. We discussed political, as well as security issues.

Firstly, I informed Mr. Minister about the position of Azerbaijan on Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We know the position of Greece on this issue.

We also discussed the ongoing processes in Europe, the migration problem. As you know, Azerbaijan has already presented the document on Strategic Partnership project to the European Union. Mrs. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan. We expect that the European Union will offically start working on this project. The Azerbaijani side stands ready for the negotiations on this issue.

We exchanged views on energy issues. You may know that, Greece is closely cooperating with Azerbaijan on a very important energy project - delivering of natural gas to European markets. A gas pipeline which is called Trans-Adriatic, is set to pass through the territory of Greece.

In general, I can say that the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Greece is strengthening day by day and in this regard we have agreed to continue and broaden our cooperation within the international organizations as well.

Q&A session:

Question: Azerbaijan has good relationship with both of Türkiye and Russia. Recently, we have been observing the deteriorating relations between those countries. How does it concern Azerbaijan and does this mini-crisis affect the whole Caucasian region?

Elmar Mammadyarov: Of course, it does concern us. It was part of our discussions with Turkish authorities, as well as Russian authorities. I discussed this issue with both of Foreign Ministers of Türkiye and Russia. We are trying that this issue would remain in the past and would not bring hardness not only to the bilateral relations between Türkiye and Russia, also the cooperation in other fields. We have strategic relations with Türkiye, we have signed several important documents, also we have strategic partnership with Russia. Both countries are among the biggest trade partners of Azerbaijan. The economic relations and political understanding are at the high level between our countries. Mutual visits have taken place at the level of Presidents, Foreign Ministers and other government members. Azerbaijan is making its efforts and trying to find ways to restore the cooperation between those countries.

Question: Mr. Minister, I have questions for both of you. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandyan told that they are set to have a meeting with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group soon. He has expressed some accusations against Azerbaijan. How would you comment on this? The other question is that Mr. President has criticized the activity of the Minsk Group recently. Is it real to give up the Minsk Group process under these circumstances?

Elmar Mammadyarov: Yes, we are dissatisfied with the activity of the Minsk Group. The co-chairs have not been able to achieve a little of progress in the resolution of the conflict for the past years. Of course, the territorial inviolability and sovereignty of Azerbaijan must be restored. That is why we expect from the co-chairs to redouble their efforts in this regard. The territories of Azerbaijan have been occupied, they are under occupation. We have one million refugees and IDPs. Three out five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are co-chair countries, but they have not achieved a little of progress in their activity. Of course, we have expressed our discontent. As you know, the co-chairs have made a statement against the resolution discussed in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). From my side, I have addressed letters of protest to my counterparts, the foreign ministers of all three countries. We are definitely against this position. First, this is the sovereign right of Azerbaijan. We can raise any issue in the international organizations. Other countries cannot go against it. Second, they cannot put pressure on the members of Assembly. This is illogical and illegal. About the issue of giving up of the Minsk Group, the co-chair countries are UN Security Council permanent members and if they are eager to continue the mediation in the Minsk Group, they have to ensure the implementation of those resolutions. I am sure that we will succeed in this. About the meeting with the co-chairs, we have not received any proposals yet. Because of their pressure made on Assembly Members, I don’t believe that there would be any meeting with them soon. We are expecting the statement of co-chairs.

Thank you!

The full video of the joint press conference can be obtained from the following link