On September 3, in the Cabinet of Ministers, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation of the British Parliament who are paying a visit to Azerbaijan.

Having warmly greeted the guests, Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear lord Janer, dear friends, Members of the British Parliament, I greet you cordially and say, “Welcome to Azerbaijan!”

The relations between our countries are at high level. We are cooperating successfully in different fields. Particularly, the volume of British companies’ capital investments to Azerbaijani oil and gas sector is extremely high. We are happy with this fact. British companies are playing a leading role in projects important for Azerbaijan, the region and our future.

Besides, we have good political contacts. After official visit of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Great Britain, these relations have raised to a new level. I hope that our relationships in both political, economic and other issues, uniting the two countries will be further developing. We eyewitness this fact at sessions, committees and commissions of the Council of Europe. We are successfully cooperating with representatives of Great Britain on an extremely important for Azerbaijan and the region issue - the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh and a British is a speaker on this issue. There were a few candidates, but on insistence of Azerbaijan, a British MP, Mr. David has been appointed to this post, despite of the fact that the Armenian delegation was objecting this appointment.

In other words, we are satisfied with the relations existing between our countries. We simply wish the further strengthening and expansion of these relations. Out two countries could have become close and it will happen, I am sure.

The head of the delegation, Vice -president of the World Jews Congress, lord Janer expressed gratitude to Prime Minister for warm reception and said:

- Mr. Prime Minister, we are thankful to you. We have been warmly welcomed in your country. We would like to congratulate you on your appointment to the post of Prime Minister. Our Prime Minister could, possibly, tell you that this is not an easy job.

We remember very well the official visit of the President of Azerbaijan to our country. It was really a success. We ask you to convey our greetings to President Heydar Aliyev. We wish him the soonest recovery and return to motherland.

We, as well as you, are very much satisfied with our relations. The ties between Great Britain and Azerbaijan are developing intensively in all fields. Our words can be approved by those involved into industrial sector; yesterday we held a meeting with BP representatives. We are happy with our participation in oil industry of this country.

We are happy to be accompanied by the British Ambassador, I would like to tell a few good words about your Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He performs extremely useful activities in interests of Azerbaijan and has become my close friend.

Mr. Prime Minister, we would like to present you with gifts

Having accepted the presents, Prime Minister said:

- Thank you very much for gifts. I really appreciate them. I believe that your visit to Azerbaijan will make our countries closer.

You were right telling that the cooperation between BP and Azerbaijan during 10 years is very important for us, and in majority of issues it provides the future of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is an open country for investments. This is policy of our President, a part of oil strategy realized by him. Probably, you know that foreign citizens feel free, quiet in our country; all conditions for their life and activity have been created here. Our people are very hospitable and show respect towards foreigners.

I know that trips to the regions have been scheduled in frames of your visit. I am sure; these trips will be extremely interesting for members of your delegation. We are seeking that Azerbaijan was developing many-sided. Of course, the main direction of investment is Baku, oil industry. However, we are very much interested that each region of Azerbaijan was developing, that each citizen felt results of huge works done. I am sure it will be like this.

Lord Janer underlining that they have become eyewitnesses of great changes in Azerbaijan, said:

Mr. Prime Minister! You stated that you are seeking that each citizen of your country felt usefulness of works done in the country. I should say, during our stay here we really admire development of your country. At the same time, we are very much satisfied with tolerance in Azerbaijan we admire it as well. Members of the delegation took part in the opening of the first Jewish school in Baku.

We have seen that there is a real cooperation between different religions, despite of the fact that the major part of the population is Muslims. I would like that all countries took your example in the issue that different religions were tolerate towards each other. In this case, we will be able to make world better, and life becomes very nice.

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After the meeting, Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev answered the questions of the guests.

Foreign relations department head of the President’s Office Novruz Mamedov, Chairman of the Milli Majlis commission for international relations and inter parliamentary ties Samed Seidov, Ambassador of Great Britain to Azerbaijan Andrew Tucker, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Great Britain Rafael Ibrahimov and other officials were present at the meeting.

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MR. ILHAM ALIYEV PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Dear Ilham Heydarovich!On behalf of many thousands labor collectives and on behalf of myself, please accept my sincere congratulations on your appointment to the position of Prime Minister of Azerbaijan. Remembering the years of working together and knowing your purposefulness, attitude to the favorite business, professionalism, inexhaustible energy and natural talent, I can say with confidence that Azerbaijan people have made most lucky choice. On your new important position, I wish You brilliant continuation of the successes achieved, happiness, good health, welfare, and prosperity to the people of Azerbaijan. Yours Sincerely,Sergey Kovanda Chairman of the Council of Directors of Joint Commercial Bank “North-eastern alliance”

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PRIME-MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN MR. ILHAM ALIYEV

Dear Ilham Heydar oglu,With all my heart, I congratulate You on the appointment to the important position of Prime-Minister. We are pleased with Your nomination for the upcoming election of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. You represent the category of politicians and leaders, who carry out policy aimed at improvement of people’s lives, show concern about their fellow-countrymen. Residents of Makhachkala are well aware of Your successful activity for the sake of the Azerbaijan people. Destinies of Degestanis and Azerbaijanis have much in common: we have century old history of living together on Caucasian land of plenty that make us confident of understanding of new historical realities, cultural and ideological, and political trends, and development of relations and co-operation between our fraternal countries down the road. I wish you good health, happiness, further successes in your life and activity for well-being of all the citizens of Azerbaijan Republic. I am sure You will become a worthy successor of President of Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev.With wishes for peace and well-being,Said Amirov, Head of Administration of Makhachkala Chairman of the Union of Local Authorities of Dagestan