OFFICIAL NEWS
AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY: RELATIONS SPEEDING UP
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES TURKISH MINISTER
Warmly greeting the guest, head of state reminded his meeting with him in the opening of Heydar Aliyev Park in Ankara, thanked for nice organization of the ceremony and noted the bilateral relations between the tow countries speed up. I attended recently the NATO Summit, met the President and Prime Minister. We had useful talks and expressed our will once again and saw how close we are. In the frame of visit, there was opened a park after our nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and his monuments was erected his monument there.
Noting that he is pleased with high speed of development of the relations, President of Azerbaijan said that there are tasks to be solved in the coming years, and construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan MEP is of great importance. At the same time, the relations are developing in other fields as well, including in the field of environment, ecology. Azerbaijan, from this standpoint, is facing some problems. In the soviet times, there was ecology as a notion at all. After regaining state independence, the Country had a number of economical-social problems that this question was pushed back. Now we attach great importance to this issue and we have certain plans.
Noting that the question of environment protection has become a leading and urgent question in Azerbaijan, the head of state said that I have made certain assignments on this purpose. In Azerbaijan, especially, in Absheron peninsula, serious steps will be taken for improvement of ecological situation. Of course, it needs finance, besides, organizational questions should be solved, and international recommendations are necessary. From this point of view, relevant cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan would be useful. I estimate your visit form this standpoint.
Expressing his gratitude for sincere reception, minister Osman Pepe said that the Ankara Park after Heydar Aliyev at the opening of which you have participated would be a picturesque place of the Turkish capital city and historical contributions of this man be ever remembered. Your Excellency would develop the existing strong friendship and fraternity links founded by Heydar Aliyev in the years coming.
The Turkish minister informed on the talks he held with his Azerbaijani counterpart, noting that an appropriate protocol would be signed. The Minister said that he was accompanied by a group of Turkish businessmen who are going to impalement certain projects in Azerbaijan. Osman Pepe said that strengthening of Azerbaijan and good welfare of the people here were the ideas of Heydar Aliyev and we know that this is the major goal of Ilham Aliyev as well. Bilateral relations between our countries are not simple words, but deeds – joint projects, strengthening peace in the region, support of the interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan in the international arena, befitting form high professionalism.
I hope the relations between our fraternal countries will move ahead by joint activity of our governments, Mr. Osman Pepe said.
Minister of natural resources and ecology of Azerbaijan Huseyngulu Bagirov and ambassador of Turkey to Azerbaijan attended the reception.