OFFICIAL NEWS
PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND KOREA MEET IN PRESENCE OF DELEGATIONS
Greeting once again visiting President Rooh Moo-hyun and members of his delegation, the Azerbaijani leader expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to development of bilateral relations in various fields. “At the meetings we are going to have today and tomorrow, we’ll have the opportunity to discuss issues of bilateral relations. I am sure that after this visit, our relations with the Republic of Korea will be more intensively developed in all spheres,” he said.
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun first expressed deep gratitude to the President and people of Azerbaijan for the hospitality shown to him and his delegation. “I am the first President of the Republic of Korea to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan since our counties established diplomatic relations. Today’s political and economic development of Azerbaijan creates additional opportunities to enhance our cooperation. Both countries’ potential is huge, and must be used in full measure. This is why I am accompanied by four ministers. Mr. President, taking this chance, I would like to invite you and your ministers to our country,” he said.
President Ilham Aliyev thanked his Korean counterpart for the invitation, and said: “You came to Azerbaijan with so representative delegation. I share your opinion that the huge economic potential of the two countries will serve development of our bilateral relations.”
He noted that Azerbaijan is already capable to make investments itself, and stressed the necessity of taking advantage of not only Korean investment opportunities but also the country’s personnel potential and experience in economic sphere.
President Roh Moo-hyun pointed to importance of restoration of the historic Silk Road and other transport corridors, noting that his country is interested in the global projects being implemented in the region, as well as in opening of an embassy in Baku.
President Ilham Aliyev noted in his turn that Azerbaijan’s rich natural resources, the global energy projects implemented in the country and the attention paid to the non-oil sector and regional development on the one hand, and high technology and great experience of the Republic of Korea on the other hand, could balance trade relations between the two countries. “They (relations) do not meet today’s potential; there are great opportunities for their expanding,” he said.
The Azerbaijani leader also highly appreciated the Republic of Korea’s position with regard to settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
President Roh Moo-hyun said Korea will continue the international and regional cooperation with Azerbaijan and to support its fair position in the conflict. He also expressed his county’s readiness to cooperation with Azerbaijan in the fields of air transport, sea ports construction and applying high technology in chemical and engineering industries.