2ND MEETING OF AZERBAIJAN-GREECE JOINT INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION FINISHES IN ATHENS
A two-day meeting of the Azerbaijan-Greece Joint Intergovernmental Commission on cooperation in the fields of economy, industry and technology has finished in Athens, Greece.
The Azerbaijani side was represented by Minister of Economic Development and Co-Chair of the Commission Heydar Babayev (head) and high-ranking officials of the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education, Industry and Energy, Agriculture, Communications and Information Technologies, as well as of the National Bank, the State Customs Committee and the State Caspian Shipping Company.
The Greek side included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-Chair of the Commission Evripidis Stilianidos (head), and high-ranking officials of the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Development, gas company Depa, Chamber of Trade and Industry and those representing other structures of the country.
On the first day of the visit, there was a meeting between the Co-Chairs of the Azerbaijan-Greece Joint Intergovernmental Commission Heydar Babayev and Evripidis Stilianidos, who discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral economic relations.
They also stressed the need to intensify the cooperation within international organizations such as the European Union and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC). The Greek side praised Azerbaijan’s activities in BSEC and as a member of the European Union expressed readiness to provide assistance in strengthening cooperation between the country and the organization.
During the visit, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation Heydar Babayev also met with Secretary General of the Athens Chamber of Trade and Industry Mrs. Aleksandra Palli.
Mrs. Palli stressed the importance of conducting business-forums and exhibition to intensify economic relations between Azerbaijan and Greece, noting currently Azerbaijan has a positive balance of trade with Greece.
She let the Minister Babayev know that a group of Greek businessmen was planning to visit Azerbaijan in October of 2007.
In turn, Babayev said cooperation with Greece is of importance for his country, and appreciated the idea of establishing close contacts between the two countries’ business circles.
Another meeting in Athens the Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development had with Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Greek Industries Mrs. Dimitra Mitrogiannopoulou.
Mrs. Mitrogiannopoulou underlined the importance of bilateral cooperation in the field of energy and information technologies, as well as of consideration of investment opportunities and possibilities for creation of joint ventures in the two countries.
Minister Babayev informed Mrs. Mitrogiannopoulou on investment climate in Azerbaijan, activities of the Azerbaijan Investment Company to attract foreign investors to the country, and invited interested Greek companies to participate in the investment projects and tenders conducted in Azerbaijan.
He also met here with his Greek Development Minister Dimitris Siufas, who informed his Azeri counterpart on the current state of Greek economy and the country’s development strategy. He also announced his intention to visit Azerbaijan this year.
Minister Babayev outlines broad opportunities for enhancing economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Greece. He stressed the importance of the issues discussed at the 2nd meeting of the Azerbaijan-Greece Joint Intergovernmental Commission, and called for intensifying efforts to expand cooperation between the two countries.
On the same day, the two sides signed a Protocol on the results of the 2nd meeting of the Azerbaijan-Greece Joint Intergovernmental Commission. The documents covers the issues concerning bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, energy, construction, transport, communication and information technologies, as well as cooperation in the framework of Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and European Union’s News Neighborhood Policy.
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