Azeri, Georgian foreign ministers issue joint statement

Azeri foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev met with his Georgian counterpart Irakli Menagarishvili at the Ministry Tuesday. After the meeting, the two signed a joint statement.

Addressing journalists after the signing ceremony, the Georgian diplomat said although the visit is traditional, it carries particular importance due to the situation in South Caucasus and in the region in general.

Congratulating Azerbaijan on being admitted to the COE, he said membership of the three South Caucasus nations in the organization is an important step toward integration with Europe.

Minister Menagarishvili said the parties had discussed both positive and negative aspects of bilateral and regional relations. Also in the focus was the issue of establishing a unified system of security and stability in South Caucasus. He indicated that the initiative had been made by Presidents Aliyev and Shevardnadze.

"We have agreed to work on the issue together", he said.

Also discussed was the issue of cooperation within GUUAM. The parties confirmed the progress of the Baku-Ceyhan project, saying the number of major companies interested in taking part in the project has increased.

The ministers also spoke of prospects of cultural cooperation and agreed to hold joint activities on the occasion of the 10th independence anniversaries of Azerbaijan and Georgia.

President Aliyev received the Georgian minister Tuesday night.*