Development of mutual relations with Norway is one of the significant factors accelerating Azerbaijan`s integration to the world community. Existence of oil production in both countries conditions the joint interests in many fields. Development of mutual relations is mainly due to this fact.
On April 24-27, 1996, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan visited Norway, held meetings with Prime Minister G.Bruntland, chairman of Storting K.Graindal, minister of Foreign Affairs B.Godal and minister of Energetics and Industry Y.Stoltenberg.
As a result of those meetings, an agreement on «Friendship and Partnership between Azerbaijan and Norway», as well as other documents was signed as they expand the legal-normative base of mutual relations between the two countries. By signing those documents, an official legal-diplomatic base of mutual relations was established between the two countries.
After the ceremony of signature, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev noted in his statement: «The negotiations and the signed documents are great steps in the further development of the Azerbaijani-Norwegian relations and are a historical event for the Republic of Azerbaijan and its nation, as well.»
During the meeting, Prime Minister of Norway G.Brundtland stated that Norway seconded the integrity of Azerbaijan and supported the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh within the framework of OSCE. In this regard, in the case of establishment of peacekeeping forces Norway would also participate in it.
In his meeting on April 24, with G.Bruntland Haydar Aliyev mentioned: «Talking about the works done in the direction of peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, I would like to notify that after the decision adopted with the active participation of Mrs.Bruntland at Budapest Summit of OSCE the opportunities have considerably increased in the direction of holding negotiations and starting dialogues with the mediation of great powers.
During the visit the following exceptionally important documents were signed between the two countries:
Within the frame of the visit Haydar Aliyev was in Norway and met with the president of «Statoil» company Harl Norving. At the meeting held between Haydar Aliyev and Harl Norving, the document considering the participation of Azerbaijan as a partner in the construction of oil (Baku-Tbilisi-Jeyhan) and gas (Baku-Tbilisi-Arzurum) pipelines transmitting hydrocarbon resources to the world market was signed between Norway State Oil Company (Statoil) and Azerbaijan State Oil Company (SOCAR). On April 25, 1996 at an official dinner given in honor of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Haydar Aliyev stated: After Azerbaijan achieved its independence ‘Statoil` company is one of the leading world companies willing to corporate in the field of economy with Azerbaijan. All those led to the establishment of Norwegian-Azerbaijani relations and friendship.»
On April 25, in the press conference in Oslo President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev mentioned that the visit would be significant in the development of the Norwegian-Azerbaijani relations and answered the questions of the representatives of media.
Official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the development of mutual relations with Norway is one of the successful steps in the foreign policy of Azerbaijan.