PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND TAJIKISTAN MEET IN PRESENCE OF TWO DELEGATIONS
The one-on-one meeting between Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Emomali Rahmonov of Tajikistan continued in the presence of the two countries’ delegations. Opening the meeting President Rahmonov said: “The official visit by the Head of the Azerbaijan State to the Republic of Tajikistan is an important milestone in the modern history of deep-rooted relations between our two peoples.”
He highly valued the role of Azerbaijani diaspora in Tajikistan’s society.
The Tajik leader also recalled contribution of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to development of Tajikistan. “While working in Moscow Heydar Aliyevich provided great help to Tajikistan in development of industrial complexes and hydro-power engineering,” he said.
President Rahmonov called his Azerbaijani counterpart a worthy successor to this noble deed, and wished President Ilham Aliyev new successes in the name of prosperity of his country and people.
He emphasized that Tajikistan is very interested in overall development of relations with Azerbaijan, and is going to do all possible for expanding and deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation in all directions.
“To raise our relationships up to a qualitatively new level, we have prepared documents designed to lay a legal basis for further development of our friendly ties,” he said. Among them, the President especially highlighted the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. “I think this document will be the foundation for the powerful building of our future long-term cooperation,” he said.
Speaking of the existing potential for development of trade and economic relations, the Tajik leader said: Trade reached a record $140 million last year. Tajikistan is rich in natural resources including energy, and experience and investment opportunities of our Azerbaijani partners can serve as a basis for establishment of mutually beneficial cooperation in this field.
On cooperation in humanitarian sphere, President Rahmonov noted that Tajikistan would encourage direct contacts between scientific, creative and educational establishments of the two countries. He said that conduct of the Days of Azerbaijani culture in Tajikistan, as well as Tajik culture in Azerbaijan would strengthen ties in this sphere.
President Rahmonov pointed out that his country follows closely the developments in the South Caucasus, and supports peaceful resolution of all existing problems. He noted that the latest Geneva talks between foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia give hope for establishment of the long-standing peace and stability in the region. “We have discussed this issues with my esteemed colleague Ilham Heydarovich - only talks, dialogue. And one of the reasons is that it is Azerbaijan that is currently a major driving force in the region’s development,” he said.
President Ilham Aliyev thanked his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmonov for the invitation and great hospitality.
He invited President Rahmonov to a pay a visit to Azerbaijan. “I would very much like you to visit our regions, including the homeland and tomb of the genius poet of Azerbaijan Nizami in the city of Ganja. I would like you to feel the roots uniting our peoples once again,” President Aliyev said.
Noting that both political and economic cooperation between the two states is based on the solid foundation, he said: “Politically, we are allies, and we support each other in all organizations including the UN, OSCE, Organization of the Islamic Conference, CIS and other forums. Economically, our trade is on a sufficiently high level, and we hope for increase in the coming years.”
On the cooperation in humanitarian sphere, the President supported the idea of conducting cultural events in both countries.
He also touched upon the multibillion energy and transport infrastructure projects being implemented in Azerbaijan. He said that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad, construction of which is going to start soon, would become a bridge connecting Europe and Asia. “I think it will be of great interest for Tajikistan to join the railroad project. This element of regional cooperation will be of great benefit for each participating state,” he said.
The Azerbaijani leader stressed the necessity to strengthen security in the region, and importance of fight against terrorism. “We want to live in peace, strengthen our independence and create better living conditions for our people. Of course, first and foremost, it requires insuring security,” he said.
The President also called for coordination of efforts against drug trafficking, and create necessary infrastructure in the borders. “There is a great need to create new border infrastructure, because Azerbaijan’s borders with neighboring countries are, in fact, transparent. Therefore, to make these activities more effective, huge investments are needed,” he said stressing the importance of cooperation with international organizations in this area.
President Ilham Aliyev dwelt on the separatist movements existing in the South Caucasus that led to violation of territorial integrity of Georgia and Azerbaijan. “It is ten years since a part of the Azerbaijan’s territories is under Armenian occupation. As a result of the policy of ethnic cleansing pursued by Armenia, over million of Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced,” he said.
President Aliyev expressed regret that the conflict being settled under the aegis of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group remains unresolved. He said: “We stand on the principles and norms of international law. Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized by all states, and the United Nations. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions, but Armenia ignores their demand to withdraw the occupation forces form the Azerbaijani lands. Therefore, supremacy of international law and principle of territorial integrity, should of course, constitute the basis for resolution of this and similar conflicts. As to the nations’ right to self-determination, the Armenian side often refers to, I have to say that Armenian people have self-determined - they have the state of Armenia.
Azerbaijan stands for peaceful resolution of the conflict, but only on the basis of the norms and principles of international law.”
In conclusion, President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the people of Tajikistan on the coming Novruz Bayram.
Other news in this section
