President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Parliament of Montenegro Mr Ranko Krivokapić is paying a two-day visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the highest level. Mr Krivokapić met with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev and Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Ogtay Asadov, in Baku, today.

Presidents Krivokapić and Mr Aliyev discussed developments in the OSCE region, stressing that fights were painful scars on the soul of every nation. They also spoke on consequences which frozen fights in Nagorno Karabakh have had on the everyday life of Azerbaijani people as well as on efforts made aimed at solving the conflict.

The interlocutors emphasised excellent bilateral relations between the Parliament of Montenegro and Republic of Azerbaijan as well as good economic relations following those. In the conversation with Mr Aliyev, Mr Krivokapić emphasised that frequency of political meetings was the best precondition for initiating the fruitful business environment: “We are thankful to Azerbaijan for including Montenegro in Trans-Adriatic and Ionian-Adriatic pipeline, because, for us, it is much more than economical message – for us it is a sign of political support to economical re-integration of the Balkan region as a whole”.

With Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Krivokapić signed the official agreement between the OSCE PA and the Parliament of Azerbaijan for the hosting of the 23rd Annual Session to be held at the Fairmont Baku Congress Centre, from 28 June to 2 July.

The interlocutors concluded that new events were always an opportunity for a step forward or backwards, and that Ukrainian example would show the direction of international policy. With regard to that, Mr Krivokapić said that more hard work and less of harsh words were necessary and that history could not permanently frozen conflicts or states. “As trans-continental organisation for cooperation and security, OSCE has a chance - while addressing conflicts - to refresh the current and initiate new activities aimed at improving its own positive dynamics”, Mr Krivokapić concluded. During the talk with Mr Asadov, Mr Krivokapić emphasised good cooperation of the two parliaments but also a mutual need for development of new investments between the two states, especially in the fields such as: tourism, transport, culture and energy.

In addition, Mr Krivokapic visited the Office of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku and met with Head of the Office Ambassador Mr Alexis Chahtahtinsky. Mr Krivokapić also ceremoniously laid a wreath at the tomb of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and the complex "Eternal Flame"

During his visit to Azerbaijan, Mr Krivokapić is being accompanied by Mr Gustavo Pallares, OSCE PA Deputy Secretary General.