STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
Esteemed Mr. President,
My dear brother!
Esteemed representatives of media,
I extend my sincere greetings to you. I am taking this opportunity to express my pleasure to be here in friendly and brotherly Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan. I am grateful for the love and hospitality shown to me and our delegation.
Esteemed President, during our meetings in private and in the presence of both countries` delegations, we have considered political, economic, military, commercial, cultural and educational ties between our countries. During the fruitful meetings, we had the opportunity to discuss how we evaluate our future bilateral relationships and what steps forward we can take. We have very good relationships, which are expanding day by day. Of course, I am pleased to have the same ideas as the esteemed President does with respect to the peace, stability, prosperity and cooperation in the South Caucasus.
I find the need to achieve the soonest settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and international law. It is our desire. We will continue to back Azerbaijan in this issue just as we have been doing so far.
I would like to stress our willingness to do everything in our power to ensure peace in the South Caucasus. We have considered joint steps we can take in this direction. I want to extend my satisfaction with Azerbaijan’s supporting Northern Cyprus Turks.
Our economic and trade relationships continue to develop. Economic ties between Turkey and Nakhchivan are expanding as well. Today, Turkey has grown into the largest investor into the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan. Major part of Turkish investments worth 5.5 billion dollars was placed in the small and medium-sized enterprises, business. Turkish companies are currently continuing their work here in Azerbaijan, that I believe will further enhanced. The trade between Turkey and Azerbaijan amounts to 1.2 billion dollars. Of course, our desire is to increase it up to 3 billion in the next two years. I believe it will cement our relations.
Presently, Nakhchivan, as the large trade partner, continues cooperation with Turkey. Trade surged 33 percent in 2007 to $40 million. We continue to make large investments in Nakhchivan like we do in the rest of Azerbaijan.
We are especially pleased to see the involvement of Turkish firms in the majority of construction projects.
Of course, the other issue is the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum energy lines, which indicate how strong Turkey-Azerbaijan relations are. Commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway will also be one of the important events. This cooperation is of great importance. Those projects are the important factors demonstrating the power of strategic ties between our countries. Inshallah, we will hold the ground-breaking ceremony for the Turkish section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in July. Our aim is to complete this project within a short time.
The other important thing is that we are having our meeting here in Nakhchivan. It is of special importance. As the President said before, I evaluate it as historical and important meeting. I believe it will be a kind of message to the region and the world. Our meetings, talks will be continued with the same determination and belief. I want it to be perceived just like this. I am sure my present visit will produce good results for brotherly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Our ties will be expanded in the future and developed in many fields.
I express to you my deep respect and consideration.
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