§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit to the UK of President Hegdar Aliev of Azerbaijan. [55022]
§ Ms QuinPresident Aliev visited the United Kingdom from 19 to 24 July 1998. The visit helped to strengthen the commercial and political relationship between the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan. President Aliev was granted an audience of HM The Queen, and paid calls on my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence, and the President of the Board of Trade; three major oil contracts were signed with British companies, as well as other agreements. 997W Discussions with President Aliev also focused on the conflict in Nagorny-Karabakh, democratic reform and human rights in Azerbaijan.