Esteemed media representatives,

Our today`s guest is our dear friend, brother, honorable Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan. I once again welcome him and the distinguished delegation, honorable ministers and other members of the delegation.

As you know, presidential election was held in Azerbaijan. Honorable Aliyev has paid his first post-election official visit to Turkey. This is a matter of pride for the whole people of Turkey, and I am very grateful to him. I also congratulate him on the election. Indeed, the election was exemplary for the whole region. The reports and statements by all the election observers have satisfied us, the friends and brothers of Azerbaijan, too.

Relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are on a much higher level than those between any other countries. We have always acted on the basis of the one-nation idea. We have always had high-level visits and ties. This visit is also of a special significance. On the one hand it is President Ilham Aliyev`s first visit after his election for the second term, on the other hand, the important stage in the life of Caucasus we are experiencing is an opportunity for us to discuss a wide range of regional problems. This is what both countries can greatly benefit from.

As you know, in the past few years, we have witnessed very important developments in the Caucasus. There were a lot of meetings and visits in this connection. Our honorable Prime Minister and I had several trips. We widely discussed the regional issues on September 10 in Baku, following my visit to Armenia. Now we have had another opportunity to consider the issues. Besides, I would like to mention that together we have started to deal decisively with the problems existing in the Caucasus, and all the Caucasian leaders have demonstrated their determination to resolve these problems. We think it is a big progress.

Sharing very similar culture, peoples of this region would greatly benefit from living in peace and stability and expansion of cooperation among them. In this connection, Turkey initiated the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, which has been welcomed by Azerbaijan and all other Caucasian countries. We believe that meetings, dialogues and an atmosphere to emerge from mutual understanding will pave the way for settlement of the problems facing Caucasus. Undoubtedly, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of them. Now, I can say that the process of its settlement has entered a new phase. The meeting between honorable Aliyev and Sargsyan, which took place in Moscow several days ago, was useful. Turkey has welcomed the talks, and we believe they will continue. We wish everybody to do its best in this direction.

Of course, we have exchanged views on a wide range of political and energy issues as well. Once again we have discussed those related to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway projects that are a matter of great pride for both Turkey and Azerbaijan. As you know the oil and gas routes are operating successfully. Now we are focusing on completion of the railway. Undoubtedly, Georgia has a great share in these large-scale projects. In general, it is very beneficial for all of us. These huge projects are open for all countries to ensure peace and stability in the region. We all stated that many times.

Bilateral relations between the two countries are moving forward in the best possible way. We have very good economic relations. Trade is increasingly growing as well as mutual investments. Azerbaijan’s investments in Turkey draw great attention, and those put in Turkey’s oil industry are welcomed by everybody. The amount of investments made by Turkish businessmen in Azerbaijan is also increasingly growing. And once again I thank the Honorable President and our friends for the confidence. Our cooperation will, certainly, continue. We, on a highest level show great confidence with respect to these issues.

I am very satisfied that this visit by the Honorable President has been significant, and has made me sure that everything between us is going on in the best possible way.

During our private meeting, we also touched on the presidential election in the USA. Though official results of the America`s election have not yet been announced, we have closely watched and welcomed Barack Obama`s election as the President of the USA. We would like this to bring peace, stability and security both to American people and the whole world.

I hope a new era will start in the whole world.