Baku, May 2 (AZERTAC). "I am happy to see renewed Baku. As soon as we arrived in Baku, we had the opportunity to exchange views with our colleagues, because most of us have been here at all and others have not been here for five years. We saw that there was the progress fixed in various news reports, statistical publications, attesting to the fact that Azerbaijan’s economy is developing at a very rapid pace year by year", Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said.

Viktor Yanukovych noted that this is a vivid example of how effectively the government can run the system, which does not suffer any sudden changes in domestic and foreign policy. Thus, stability is the foundation of the state.

'Of course, I am very pleased that one of the components of this stability is also the policy of Azerbaijan in relation to Ukraine. This tradition dates back to Haydar Aliyev, who support Ukraine at the hot points when Ukraine needed a helping hand. In the 1990’s, Azerbaijan helped Ukraine with fuel and lubricants, which we did not have, and we provided our agriculture with fuel, since it is a breathe of oxygen for the country. Ukrainian people remember and cherish the memory of your national leader Heydar Aliyev”, the Ukrainian President said.

According to Yanukovych, the traditions, which are incorporated in the relations between the two countries continues. “But now given the enormous potential of our countries, we must raise the economy so that to improve the living conditions of our countries even further”, he said.

The Ukrainian president said that last year’s trade turnover was at its all-year high throughout independence. “This year Ukraine is marking the 20th anniversary of its independence, and so does Azerbaijan. And we showed a vivid example last year, the trade came to such a level that Ukraine is currently ranked second for Azerbaijan. We are pleased and, of course, all issues agreed must be coordinated”, Yanukovych said.

Speaking about the commissioning of the Odessa-Brody pipeline, Yanukovych said it is necessary to extend it to the Baltic Sea. “We should probably think together how to solve this problem soon, and we have discussed this issue with Ilham Aliyev. We will work to ensure that the pipeline had reached the Baltic Sea. I will not talk about the details of our plans, but we are well aware that the opportunities that we currently have must be realized”, said the President.

According to him, the joint investment projects, which the parties have agreed on, will be conducted 50 to 50. “All these objects, which we will build will be the joint property of our countries - Azerbaijan and Ukraine. This is the highest level of confidence, and, of course, I think that the efficiency will increase even more if we initially co-design and then implement them", he said.

'A number of projects that we are now considering, are connected not only with design but also various researches, collaborative decision making in the development of new techniques and technologies, integration of our scientific and practical bases, and scientific research organizations. This is what we are going to do in the near future. We have signed such contracts. The effectiveness of our joint solutions laid the basis for the plans that we have signed today for 2014 or 2015 - there are different documents', said the head of Ukraine.

He stressed that huge work is yet to be done in various international organizations.

'It is very important in a globalized economy, in terms of overcoming the various man-caused disasters. And in this regard, I would like to thank you, Ilham Aliyev, and the people of Azerbaijan for extending one million dollars to the Chernobyl Fund for the Implementation of the Shelter project at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

"This is also a vivid example of an inextricable connection between our people and Azerbaijan was next to Ukraine when the tragedy occurred 25 years ago. It now holds the Ukrainian people in huge stress because we feel a responsibility not only to neighboring countries, but also to Europe, because of the consequences of that tragedy. And we know that this project will allow us to begin eliminate the real aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster that is to disassemble the emergency unit, and pull out the remnants of nuclear fuel. For this, I am thankful to you and bow my head before the Azerbaijani people," Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said.