STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV
Esteemed Viktor Andreyevich,
dear guests,
ladies and gentlemen!
Once again I would like to cordially welcome the Ukrainian delegation led by the President to Azerbaijan. I`m very satisfied with the results of the Ukrainian President`s visit to Azerbaijan, and also with talks and the exchange of views. We have widely discussed the issues of mutual concern and deeply analyzed relations between our countries in various fields. We also discussed regional problems and had a complete exchange of views on regional cooperation, prospects of cooperation within the supposed Eastern partnership program of the European Union.
Today we also held the first meeting of the Council of presidents during which we mostly focused on political, economic, energy, transport, military and technical cooperation. And we expressed common views during all discussions. The most important is that the strategic cooperation between our countries is successfully continuing. These relations correspond to the national interests of Azerbaijan, and we regard Ukraine one of our most reliable partners in the world. We are grateful to the Ukrainian President personally and to the Ukrainian state for support they have been showing us within international organizations, particularly the United Nations. The Azerbaijani people are thankful to Ukraine for showing a fundamental, just position during the voting last year - nearly a year ago - on the question of situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Today we have deeply discussed, as I have already mentioned, a range of issues which are important not only for our countries, but - I`m sure - for the whole region, for Europe, and initiatives we plan to launch in the field of transport, those to deliver the Caspian`s energy resources to the world markets and diversify energy supplies, and the role of Ukraine and Azerbaijan in this regard. All these issues need steady attention. We held energy summits with participation of the presidents of Ukraine and Azerbaijan and our colleagues from friendly countries. The latest such summit which took place in Baku last November demonstrated our commitment to the enhanced cooperation in energy sector. The outcomes of the Baku summit, the Baku declaration are the basis for almost all energy projects in the region, including those which already exist and those which need to be realized by our joint efforts.
I would also like to mention the spirit of the cooperation between our countries. Yes we have discussed the issues which are important politically and economically, and which will have an impact on the regional situation as a whole. Another important fact is that these discussions were held in an atmosphere of friendship, mutual understanding and support. I would also like to stress another element in our relations - the humanitarian cooperation. We attach great importance to this and there are good results of this cooperation. Almost every visit of Viktor Andreyevich marks progress in this regard, and we are jointly participating in very important events.
In conclusion, I would like to once again thank the Ukrainian President for accepting our invitation to visit us again, express satisfaction with our talks, and also express hope that all that we have discussed and agreed on will be realized just as before - all our initiatives came true. Welcome once again, and I hope that being in the land of Azerbaijan will be a great pleasure for you.
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