TRACECA office opens in Baku

The official opening ceremony of the TRACECA office in Baku was held Wednesday, attended by President Aliyev, the visiting chairperson of the EU, Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lind, secretary general of the Union Javier Solana, other EU officials, and Azeri government officials.

President Aliyev described TRACECA as one of the most crucial Eurasian integration projects, saying that the office being inaugurated is domiciled in a historic and wonderfully renovated building.

The EU commissar Chris Patten voiced his appreciation to the Azerbaijan government for the building allocated to TRACECA.

The opening ceremony was followed by a meeting of Heydar Aliyev with EU officials. The head of state announced that Azerbaijan appreciates the role of the EU and is aspiring to further rapprochement with it.

“Azerbaijan has become a member of the Council of Europe, thus opening a way to the EU, but the requirements of the latter are even tougher. We are ready to cover this road”, the President said.

“South Caucasus is an important region for Europe and the EU should facilitate the solution of regional conflicts”, he stated.

Mrs. Lind confirmed the significance of South Caucasus, highlighting the importance of peace and stability in the region and improved welfare of the people. She stated that the EU is ready to contribute to peace in the region. She also emphasized the need for regional cooperation, which would promote solution to most pressing problems.

The President replied that solution of all problems depends on Armenia and that the EU can say its word. Commissar Patten said the EU had allocated Euro 300 million to Azerbaijan, most of which was spent on rehab projects.*