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UK supports the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs and stands for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, stated William Hague, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, during a meeting with Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister.

As the Azerbaijani news agency APA reports the meeting was held in the framework of Elmar Mammadyarov’s visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The press service of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan told the news agency that at the meeting they exchanged views about pressing issue that were on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. Issues concerning the bilateral cooperation were also discussed at the meeting.

William Hague noted that Azerbaijan is hosting European Games in 2015 and noted that as his country hosted 2012 London Olympic Games successfully, United Kingdom stands ready to share its experience with Azerbaijan in that area too.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also reported that William Hague has expressed his gratitude to Baku for the cooperation in the framework of NATO, as well as for the support during the operation carried out in Afghanistan.

At the same time, according to Azerbaijani newspaper "Azadlig", the Azerbaijani authorities hastily decided to send the head of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to the UK on an official visit on September 3, as soon as it became known that the Azerbaijani opposition in the persons of representatives of National Council had planned to visit London from September 8 to 11, at the invitation of the British side.

According to the paper, there was no information about the preparation of Mammadyarov’s visit, and thus his journey before the visit of opposition, is not coincidental. Apparently, the Azerbaijani authorities are seriously concerned about the visit.