Ambassador of Japan to Azerbaijan Toshiyuki Fujivara, who was interviewed by the correspondent of AzerTAj, gave all-sided assessment to the political, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries. He, in particular, said:

Asked on his opinion on the political, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries for today, the Ambassador dwelt upon the Great Silk Route that connected from the ancient times Azerbaijan with Japan. In this context, it is necessary to familiarize with the priorities of the Japan Government towards the CIS countries, in particular, towards the ‘Great Silk Route’ conception. Within the item, the Ambassador stressed the trade links due to which the Japanese knew customs and traditions of the Eastern peoples, synthesis of cultures. And not eventually, many Azerbaijani customs are alike the Japanese ones.

Independent Azerbaijan is a friendly country to Japan and Tokyo supports Baku at the international arena, in particular, at the United Nations. ‘After the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Japan will be opened, the bilateral relations of our countries will strengthen as well’, the Ambassador stressed.

Expressing the opinion of his country, the Ambassador said development of the Caucasus region, especially of Azerbaijan, is an important element in the cause of preservation of stability in the Eurasian continent. Japan is keen in preservation of peace in the region, as well as in development of Azerbaijan, Mr. Fujivara underlined. ‘We shall further take active part in reforming numerous fields of industry of Azerbaijan’, he said.

As to geopolitical position of Azerbaijan, Japan attaches due importance to the Republic as a transit state. In addition, the region is rich with natural resources.

Japanese companies have invested in the oil of Azerbaijan $220 million. ‘And, according to the volume of capital investments to development of the ‘Azeri’, ‘Chirag’ and ‘Guneshli’ prospects, Japan is the third country after Great Britain and the United States’.

Speaking of other assistance programs, Mr. Fujivara said the Azerbaijan Government was presented a credit at amount $325 million for construction of power stations.

At the same time, for realization of numerous projects in Azerbaijan, the grants of Japan totaled $37 million.

As priorities in the relations, the Ambassador named the cultural links between the two countries, expressing at the same time his dissatisfaction with the current level of them. Rapprochement of nations, however, is possible with studying cultural values of each other, he added, and informed on the proposed cultural events ad exhibitions to be held in coming years. The Japanese theater is also expected to tour Azerbaijan.

As stated Mr. Fujivara, the Japanese side is ready to take part as observers in the coming 15 October presidential elections.

Asked on his assessment of the appointment of Ilham Aliyev to the post of Premier of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Japanese Ambassador said he knew Ilham Aliyev since 1997 when he was vice-president of SOCAR and negotiated on the issues concerning investing oil sector of Azerbaijan. And now, as to me, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, has passed a good school of diplomacy, is experienced and full of energy. This is a personality with rich human features and a pure soul. Japanese has a proverb: ‘If the man loves sport, then he loves the people’. And it should not be forgotten that Ilham Aliyev is president of the Olympic Committee of the Republic. ‘Especially I would note the fact that after appointment to the post of Premier, Mr. Ilham Aliyev left all the posts, except the President of National Olympic Committee. And this means a lot’, the Ambassador stressed.

As Mr. Fujivara concluded, ‘Ilham Aliyev is a diplomat, recommended himself at the international arena, and he is a man with western views. He is well known in Russia, US, Japan, and the European continent. The new appointment is a chance for Azerbaijan people, I am certain, the new Premier will make a worthy contributions to the public life of the Republic’.