Azerbaijani President: Lithuania always supported Azerbaijan`s policy of European integration

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania have given a joint press conference following their private meeting, Azerbaijani president’s official website reported.
President Aliyev expressed confidence the Lithuanian leader`s visit would be a success. The Head of State said they had interesting discussions on bilateral and regional issues, adding "this exchange of views will help better understand the ongoing processes and the problems existing in the region". The President praised "the intensive political dialogue between our countries", saying Azerbaijan and Lithuania also enjoy active cooperation within international organizations.
"Lithuania has always supported Azerbaijan`s policy of European integration. I believe Mrs. Grybauskaite`s visit will contribute to strengthening our political relations."
President Aliyev said: "We have better potential in the economic sphere". He stressed the necessity of developing the reciprocal visits by the two countries` businessmen. The President also highlighted energy, transport and security issues.
On the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Aliyev expressed regret over the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group which mediates between the sides. He said the co-chairs had failed to make any progress in the peace talks. The President said a recent report by an OSCE fact-finding mission highlighted the destruction of the whole infrastructure and also the illegal resettlement in the Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. "The current situation is a major source of threat to the regional stability, and the issue must be solved only and only on the basis of international legal norms."
President Grybauskaite praised the economic relations between Azerbaijan and Lithuania. She said they discussed the bilateral issues and Azerbaijan`s relations with Europe, and also exchanged views on how to solve common problems through OSCE.
The Lithuanian leader said her country was ready to share its experience with Azerbaijan in conducting membership negotiations with the European Union.
President Grybauskaite praised the carrying out of an anti-corruption program in Azerbaijan, adding the issue was on the agenda in her country too.
The Lithuanian leader also praised Azerbaijan`s contribution to ensuring Europe`s energy security. She said Azerbaijan was of great importance to Europe in diversifying the transportation routes of natural gas and other energy carriers.
On the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Grybauskaite said she supported a peaceful solution to the problem.
The Lithuanian leader also touched upon the bilateral educational cooperation, saying her country was ready to implement a number of joint projects.