Latif Gandilov: "Support of the territorial integrity of the states is among the priorities of external policy of Kazakhstan"

- A large delegation of Kazakhstan has recently attended the fourth Caspian energy summit, held in Baku. How do you assess the results of the bilateral Azerbaijani-Kazakh talks on cooperation in energy sector held in the framework of this event?

- I assess the results of this visit as positive.

I would remind that the next bilateral document on cooperation in the sphere of energy sources transportation was signed in the framework of energy summit. I consider that the main result of the talks, held in Baku, became the adoption of an agreement between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan and National company of Kazakhstan "KazmunayGaz" "About basic principles of implementation of the Transcaspian transportation system", envisioning supply of Kazakh oil to Azerbaijan with further reexport.

On the whole, I would like to voice satisfaction with the fact that through the past few years our countries have signed several important document, including an agreement on Kazakhstan's participation in the BTC pipeline project. It all proves the strategic nature of our relations with Kazakhstan.

As for cooperation in the energy sector, it is becoming more definite for us to join efforts in moving towards ensuring the energy security of Europe. I can say that today Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are a very important chain in the resolution of this task.

- How do you assess the level of political relations between Baku and Astana?

- I would like to note that our countries have established a very intensive dialogue on different levels, which proves the closeness of our peoples. The more we communicate, the wider the circle of our communication is and the more friends we have. In the result to start to understand each others more.

- What is expected in the further development of the Azerbaijani-Kazakh cooperation next year?

- The next session of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation is planned to be held next year. The terms of the session will be coordinated later.

We hope that in 2009 the President of Kazakhstan will visit Azerbaijan. I would like to remind that this year President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited Kazakhstan due to the 10th anniversary of Astana. Now we are waiting for the response visit of the President of Kazakhstan. It is important that Nazarbayev has accepted our invitation.

I would also like to remind that next year Kazakhstan will chair in OSCE which also envisions conduction of most events.

- By the way, what do you expect from Kazakhstan's chairmanship in OSCE in the sense of the resolution of the Karabakh conflict?

- Official Astana has always spoken for support of the territorial integrity of any state. This issue is among the priorities of the external policy of Kazakhstan. Thus, I think there will be no problems in the said issue in the future.

/Day.Az/