BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 3. The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan has briefed the President of
the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Pere Joan Pons Sampietro on
the country's position in the peace process with Armenia.


This was announced in a report by the MFA following the meeting
between the Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Sampietro held as
part of his visit to Azerbaijan.


According to the ministry, Bayramov brought to Sampietro's
attention the progress made towards the normalization of
Azerbaijani-Armenian relations and Azerbaijan's position on
advancing the peace agenda.


The meeting discussed issues on the agenda of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, current
security challenges in the OSCE area, the situation in the region,
as well as the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agenda.


The minister noted that Azerbaijan attaches importance to
cooperation with the OSCE PA, and that inter-parliamentary dialogue
plays an important role in promoting mutual understanding, trust
and cooperation in the OSCE area. In this context, the contribution
of the Azerbaijani Parliament within the OSCE PA, mutual visits and
meetings held at various levels to the development of relations was
emphasized.


Bayramov informed the interlocutor about the measures taken by
Azerbaijan to ensure peace and stability in the region. The
progress made towards the normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian
relations and Azerbaijan's position on advancing the peace agenda
were highlighted.


Addressing, among other issues, the humanitarian issues in the
region during the post-conflict period, Bayramov said that the mine
threat remains a serious danger to Azerbaijan. During the meeting,
it was noted that, in addition to the danger posed to human life,
mine explosions hinder recovery and reconstruction work in the
liberated territories, the return of internally displaced persons
to their native lands, and the regional development process.


The minister also stressed that determining the fate of nearly
4,000 missing Azerbaijanis is an important humanitarian issue.


Moreover, during the meeting, an exchange of views was held on
Azerbaijan's contribution to regional and wider international
energy security. Information was provided on the role Azerbaijan
plays in ensuring Europe's energy security as a reliable energy
partner, projects implemented to diversify energy sources and
routes, as well as initiatives in the field of green energy.


The contribution of Azerbaijan to the development of regional
connections as a country located at the crossroads of transport
corridors was highlighted. The importance of the development of the
Middle Corridor, the expansion of transport and logistics
opportunities connecting Europe and Central Asia across the
Caspian, as well as the opening of regional communications for
peace, stability and economic development was emphasized.


The meeting also touched upon the developing dynamics of
Azerbaijan's strategic partnership with the countries of Central
Asia. The parties noted that the transformation of the C5 format
into the C6 format has created new opportunities for
cooperation.


The sides also exchanged views on current challenges in the OSCE
area and other regional and international issues of mutual
interest.