BAKU HOSTS FIRST MEETING OF US-AZERBAIJAN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP COMMISSION
The first meeting of the US-Azerbaijan Economic Partnership Commission was held February 7 in Baku. The meeting of the Commission chaired by Azerbaijan Finance Minister Samir Sharifov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Daniel Sullivan focused on the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Azerbaijan’s group in the commission includes representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, Justice, Tax, Communications and Information Technologies, Agriculture, Health as well as National Bank, Prosecutor General’s Office, State Oil Fund, Azerbaijan Airlines, State Customs Committee, Milli Majlis. In addition to the U. S. Department of State, the U. S. delegation will also include senior representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Treasury, Agriculture, the Trade Representative’s Office, the Trade and Development Administration, and the Agency for International Development
Opening the event, Samir Sharifov said the meeting marked a new era of development of US-Azerbaijan relations. Last year’s visit of President Ilham Aliyev to the United States gave an impetus to the political, economic, humanitarian cooperation.
According to him, trade turnover between the two countries surged by 40% to $280 million.
Minister touched on large-scale energy and transport projects implemented and initiated by the Azerbaijan leadership, Azerbaijan’s contribution to Europe’s energy security. He told of the projects aimed at improving the people’s welfare, reducing poverty and developing the non-energy sector.
Daniel Sullivan said he believes the Commission will give the impetus to the US-Azerbaijan economic ties.
The meeting further focused on the macroeconomic policy, trade and investment, economic development, energy security, Azerbaijan’s WTO membership bid and other issues,
Finance Minister Samir Sharifov and Daniel Sullivan signed a memorandum on establishment of the US-Azerbaijan Economic Partnership Commission. In addition to the memo, senior officials of both countries sealed a number of documents related to the finance, investment, health, trade, and customs.
The sides agreed to hold the second meeting of the Commission in 2008 in Washington.
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