PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV ARRIVED IN PARIS
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also met with representatives of the influential business circles of France. President of MEDEF Francois Perigot and State Minister Francois Loos noted in their speeches that France is very interested in further development of economic links with Azerbaijan. They underlined that since Azerbaijan gained its independence, French companies have made investments in oil and gas sector of the country, and expressed wish for further expanding the cooperation. The speakers also pointed out that “MEDEF” had held meetings in Baku and they are carefully watching the political and economic processes taking place in Azerbaijan, and that macro-economic indicators are positive in the Republic. They said: “President of Azerbaijan has paid his first foreign visit to France, that will allow to reach a higher level of economic relations, and will play a positive role Azerbaijan’s integration into European and World economy.” It was pointed out that Azerbaijan has good opportunities for the French investors, and that commodity turnover between our countries has considerably increased. A special emphasis was put on the activity of “Total” in Azerbaijan’s oil sector, in particular, its involvement in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline construction.
Addressing the meeting, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev expressed his sincere wishes to the French businessmen and let them know why France had been chosen for his first foreign visit. He said: “For the last decade, political and economic relations between France and Azerbaijan have been very successfully developed. France, as a Minsk Group co-chair is involved in process of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, and we want intensification of his activity. France is one of the World’s leading countries, and Azerbaijan attaches paramount significance to cooperation with this country, and stands for deepening of this cooperation.”
President Ilham Aliyev dwelt on our country’s economic potential. He reminded however, that “During the period of gaining independence, our economy was suffering recession, gross domestic product deceased. The socio-political stability established in the country after election of Heydar Aliyev as President of Azerbaijan Republic in 1993, laid the foundation of economic development. The recession was completely overcome and development began, Today, Azerbaijan is a leader - among former soviet republics - in the volume of foreign investments per capita.”
Pointing out that extremely important international projects are now being implemented in Azerbaijan, and that foreign investments are mainly directed to the oil and gas sectors, the Head of our State said: “very favorable conditions have been created in our country for foreign investors, and this policy will be further continued. As a result of the new strategy initiated and developed by Heydar Aliyev, the project Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, once taken as a myth, has now turned into reality.” After the “Contract of the Century”, investment flow in Azerbaijan has considerably increased. Today, oil pipelines are being laid and other huge projects are being implemented in the country.
Having expressed gratitude to the French businessmen working in our country, President Ilham Aliyev said: they have won great respect in our society. We have reached economic progress merely due to socio-political stability and trust existing between Government and citizens. Social programs being realized in our country are first aimed at improvement of people’s living conditions. At the same time, investors are confident of their investments’ safety.”
President Ilham Aliyev called the French businessmen to expand cooperation with our country, and stressed once again that there are good opportunities for both countries to benefit from that.
Touching upon the activity of the Oil Fund, the Head of our State emphasized that the Fund’s transparency had been highly assessed by the International Monetary Fund and other international financial structures.” This transparency will be ensured in other spheres as well,” he said. According to the President, 15 billion dollars have been invested in Azerbaijan until now. The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict impedes wider implementation of the projects, and poses threat to stability in the region. But in spite of the occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands, our country is now more independent and prosperous state than Armenia. Putting into operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will make the economic situation in the country much better. Our country’s potential will be enhanced with transporting oil to the world and gas to European markets. I would like relations between our countries to further develop, and French businessmen to make more investments in Azerbaijan.
Afterwards, the Agreement “On Mutual Administrative Support for Prevention of Customs Violations.” has been signed between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of France by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Vilayat Guliyev and State Minister of France Francois Loos.
President Ilham Aliyev answered in detail the questions from the meeting participants.
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