President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by deputy foreign minister of Japan Ichiro Fujisaki, 24 November.

Greeting the guests, head of the Azerbaijani state Ilham Aliyev said:

“Dear guests, you are welcome to Azerbaijan.

The Japanese-Azerbaijani relations are developing successfully and quickly. In 1998, President of Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Heydar Aliyev made an official visit to Japan. After the visit, a new phase of our relations commenced and a state commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan Republic and Japan was set up, later embassy of Japan was opened in Azerbaijan. Generally, our cooperation in economy has begun to rapidly develop.

Azerbaijan has done a lot and set up new infrastructures in account of the credits allocated by Japanese government. We are thankful for this. At the same time, Japanese government has allocated huge volume grants, which is very pleased. Pass, please, my gratitude to the government of Japan.

The Japanese companies actively take part in the development of Azerbaijan’s oil-gas prospects, as members of the international consortium make colossal investments in the Republic. The companies of Japan also participate at the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which is important for the entire region. I would say, construction of this pipeline successfully goes ahead ad it will be commissioned next year.

We want this cooperation to be enhanced. Now we are working on new projects. Second phase of Project of the “Shimal” PS is being discussed. I would express my assurance that this question will find its solution recently. Thus, energy supply in Azerbaijan will be improved, and modern infrastructures will be created.

Taking the opportunity, I request you to convey my greetings and best wishes to the head of the government of Japan, esteemed Koizumi”.

Expressing his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for warm reception, Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki said:

“Thank you very much, Mr. President. It is an honor to meet You today.

As You know, head of the Japanese government Mr. Koizumi has sent a letter of congratulations to You on your assuming the Presidential office. We will certainly convey Your greetings to him.

Government of Japan, as up to date, will further support the democratic processes and development of market economy in Azerbaijan. The Japanese Governments considers Azerbaijan a significant state.

You recalled the official visit of your father to Japan. Indeed, with his visit to Japan and next assignments, President Heydar Aliyev has made invaluable contributions to the development of the bilateral relations. I would like him to recover and turn home quickly.

Hitherto, the Japanese-Azerbaijan relations have been in high level and we are convinced that they will acquire higher level in coming years. We are thankful for favorable conditions created for the ambassador of Japan in Azerbaijan. He is one of my best friends. We also know that you are going to open your embassy in Japan shortly. We will be pleased and are waiting this day impatiently. We, I and the head of MFA department for CIS countries, Mr. Michi will do our best that the embassy had every condition to function.

Mr. President, You touched upon the economic cooperation between Japan and Azerbaijan. We are thankful for warm words on our country’s assistance and cooperation. Indeed, the Japanese companies are actively cooperating with Azerbaijan in the energy field, and are partners of the BTC project. I am hopeful that all the mentioned projects will be realized. At the same time, we shall do our best that your country became the member of the World Trade Organizations. As you said, the investments have great importance in the development of our cooperation. Here, participating is the head of the joint economic commission Mr. Abid Sharifov. I think, our cooperation will be useful in this field either.

We hope, our assistance will also continue in other field, including in development of democracy in the country.

You named other joint project we are implementing – the “Shimal” power station. We had intensive talks with the Mr. Sharifov on the item. I shall convey the information and Your proposals to the government of Japan. I hope, our cooperation will further develop and cover other fields.

Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. We also want our relations to cover all the fields – economic and political spheres. You recalled the name of ambassador. I can say, he is also our friend. Personally, I know Mr. Ambassador since 1996. Official delegation of Azerbaijan was visiting Japan for the first time. I was a member of the delegation. Mr. Ambassador tried then at the Foreign Ministry of Japan. WE met and spoke in Turkish. We are very pleased that Mr. Fujivara is now in Azerbaijan.

Ichiro Fujisaki: Mr. president, I am sorry for correcting Your words. The Ambassador said that he is speaking in Azerbaijani, but not in Turkish.

Ilham Aliyev: You are right, but I am speaking of the 1996. Mr. Ambassador used to speak in Turkish then. After he came to Azerbaijan, he speaks in Azerbaijani. He speaks in both Turkish and Azerbaijani languages.

As you noted, Azerbaijan is to open its embassy in Japan. I hope, this Embassy will begin its functioning and thus, our bilateral relations will acquire higher level.

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Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Abid Sharifov, deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov, Japan’s ambassador to Azerbaijan Toshiyuki Fujivara participated at the reception.