AZERI, SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS BRIEF JOURNALISTS

Foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Walid al Muallem of Syria held today a joint press conference following their meeting.
Mammadyarov said he discussed with his Syrian counterpart how to develop bilateral cooperation in political, economic, humanitarian and other areas.
He noted the talks also revolved around Syrian President Bashar al-Assad`s planned visit to Azerbaijan, the Middle East and Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts.
“It was stressed during the meeting the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must only be settled on the basis of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and inviolability of its borders”, Mammadyarov underlined.
The Minister also noted the volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Syria will increase after the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway put into operation.
Walid al Muallem said he witnessed great development in Baku since his first visit to the city three years ago.
The Minister pointed out his current visit aims to continue and strengthen dialogue between the two countries.
Walid al Muallem underscored his country attaches significant importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan.
He also stressed the unresolved situation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict poses a threat to the entire region.
“Syria considers that the dispute must be resolved peacefully and on the basis of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity”, the Minister added.