REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV
Dear Mrs. Kwon Yang Suk!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
First of all, Mr. President, let me again sincerely greet you and your delegation in Azerbaijan, and say “Welcome!”. This is the first visit by a Korean President to Azerbaijan. I believe your visit will play an important role in development of relations between our two countries. During our meetings we talked, exchanged views on a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation. I am sure that all this, and at the same time, the documents signed, as well as the forum organized by the two countries’ businessmen, will make its contribution to development and expanding of our relations. The ties between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea are deep-rooted. A very important role in history of our countries was played by the Great Silk Road which since ancient times has connected nations and served peace and development of civilizations.
I want the cooperation between our countries to deepen in various fields. In this context, creation of legal basis, reciprocal visits and conduct of days of culture in Azerbaijan and the Republic of Korea is a good example. At the same time, we have established an embassy in your country. Korean language department is functioning at the Baku State University. Our cooperation in oil and petrochemical, energy and construction industries, as well as in the fields of transport, information and communication technologies, culture, air service and others of our mutual interests have very good prospects.
Today, Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing country. In 2005, the country’s economy reached its highest growth rate with that of GDP exceeding 26 percent. Over the last two years, 380 new jobs have been opened in the republic. Azerbaijan is implementing international projects which will further strengthening peace and stability in the region, and give an impetus to economic development and integration processes. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway projects will play a very important role in development of the region.
However, it is impossible to achieve peace and security in the region without having the existing conflicts resolved. The Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan is the main factor violating stability in the region. The aggression and ethnic cleansing have led occupation of 20 percent of our lands, and over a million refugees and internally displaced persons. We demand that the conflict is resolved fairly, on the basis of international legal norms and principles, and territorial integrity of our country, as well as that the conflict-related resolutions of the UN Security Council, and decisions by OSCE, the Council of Europe and other international organizations are fulfilled.
Dear Mr. President!
Lat me once again express my satisfaction with your official visit to Azerbaijan, and extend to you my best wishes for constant success and progress of your people.
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