BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. I'm sure that the Latvian President’s visit will create new opportunities for cooperation in different areas, President Ilham Aliyev said during joint press statement with President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, TurkicWorld reports.
Statement by President Ilham Aliyev
- Mr. President,
Dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Once again, Mr. President, welcome to Azerbaijan. I'm very glad that you accepted my invitation and are visiting our country on an official visit. You have been in Azerbaijan many times in your previous capacity, but as President, this is the first time. I have very good memories of our previous meetings, including last January in Davos. Once again, thank you for being with us. I am sure that the visit will strengthen bilateral relations between our countries and will create new opportunities for cooperation in different areas.
We discussed broadly with the President, in a tête-à-tête meeting and with the participation of delegations, different aspects of our bilateral agenda as well as issues of international importance. We are glad that we have a very solid framework for our cooperation. The Declaration on a Strategic Partnership between our countries, signed nine years ago, creates a legal framework and elevates our relations to a very high level. Based on that, we have been working closely to develop partnership in different areas.
Just a week ago, the Joint Intergovernmental Commission met in Azerbaijan - in Garabagh, in Shusha - and we listened to the information of the co-chairs about very promising plans and a lot of things to be done together. Today’s business forum is another demonstration of the huge potential for doing business, finding opportunities for mutual investments, and creating joint manufacturing, among others. I looked at the list of participants. There is broad representation from both sides. Hopefully, this interaction will result in practical contracts.
We also agreed that we will keep each other informed about plans, programs, and investment opportunities so that companies from both countries can have access to information and plan their activities. Investments in both countries, I think, can bring very tangible results. Azerbaijani investors, whether state or private, are ready to engage in this kind of activity, and I hope that the business forum will be a real breakthrough in increasing the volume of our mutual trade, which is, unfortunately, still somewhat modest.
Another issue that we also agreed to explore is direct flight connections, especially in these times when there are certain disruptions and shortages of jet fuel for some airlines, which fortunately Azerbaijani airlines do not suffer from. This could be another opportunity.
Of course, people-to-people contacts and education are important. We were glad to hear that more than 450 Azerbaijani students are studying in Latvia, and I am sure that all of them enjoy staying in your beautiful country. I remember my numerous visits, and I want to congratulate you on all the achievements in the development of your country.
We also discussed security issues and regional developments in the Southern Caucasus and the Baltic region - things are happening around us. I informed Mr. President about the latest developments on the peace track between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is very promising. In fact, we have de facto peace since last August, when both countries were invited by President Trump to the White House and signed a Joint Declaration, and the foreign ministers initialed the text of the peace agreement. Since then, there have been many positive developments in the peace process, including the beginning of trade, particularly the supply of fuel products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, as well as meetings between representatives of civil society and media representatives, which also contribute to creating a normal atmosphere between countries that were at war for many years. This is an example that demonstrates that only political will, political wisdom, and a strategic vision for the future can deliver deliberate development. Either you continue endless war or wars, or you stop at some point when you have achieved what you wanted based on international law, and then demonstrate readiness for peace. I think this example can be important for those countries that are still at war.
Once again, I would like to say that relations between our countries are based on a very solid framework. An important part of this is also our personal relations with Mr. President. We have known each other for many years, I think, maybe for some 20 years or something. I am really very glad, from a personal point of view, to host our dear friend and his delegation in Baku. Once again, welcome, and I wish you a pleasant stay.
