09.05.2024 01:16

TODAY.AZ / Politics

United Kingdom is Azerbaijan's strategic partner: Azerbaijani president (PHOTO) - (UPDATE)

15 July 2009 [08:16] - TODAY.AZ

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev completes visit to the United Kingdom.

09:14

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev met current chair of British Council Gerard Lemos as part of his official visit to the United Kingdom.
The President praised the activity of the British Council in Azerbaijan, and said there all opportunities for the council to continue its work here.
Gerard Lemos spoke of the council`s further plans in Azerbaijan, which include conducting cultural projects among others.

09:15

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva met Elizabeth II Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Buckingham Palace.
Later the same day, President Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva had a dinner with the Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

July 14

09:45

On July 13, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting at the Royal Institute of International Relations which brings together well-known politicians, diplomats, press representatives, publicists and public figures in Europe. Special envoy of the United Kingdom for South Caucasus Brian Fall welcomed the president to the institute.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the meeting on Foreign Policy Challenges for Azerbaijan. Recalling his first meeting at the Institute held in 2004, the head of state said that over the last 5 years independent Azerbaijan has covered a long way of development in various fields, ensured its national interests and established good relations with partner countries.

Referring to Azerbaijan’s economic development, President Aliyev said the country's economy has grown 2.6 times and poverty has significantly reduced the past five years. Economic development has contributed to solving social problems. The economic success of Azerbaijan is highly appreciated by international organizations.

Talking about the projects undertaken at the initiative of Azerbaijan, the president stressed their importance in terms of regional cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan's foreign policy is based on national interests, international law, mutual respect and principles of non-interference in each other's affairs.

He said Azerbaijan has good relations with Britain. “Great Britain is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan. Our ties with that country are significant in terms of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union,” the President said.

As to the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, President Aliyev said that it led to the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory.

More than 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons. Azerbaijan stands for settlement of the conflict in accordance with international law and within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. There are no other solutions to the conflict, he said.

President Aliyev responded to participants' questions. On July 13, a dinner in honor of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was given on behalf of the British Government

09:19

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with British Prime-Minister Gordon Brown on July 13, AzerTaj state news agency reported.

British Prime-Minister congratulated the Azerbaijani President with success achieved in economic sphere. Gordon Brown stressed high level of relations between two countries in different spheres, including economic.

Concerning Azerbaijan's participation in anti-terrorist coalition, Brown said that the British government highly appreciates Azerbaijani activity on this regards. Congratulating the Azerbaijani President with achievements in democracy, British Prime-Minister named extension of relations between EU and Azerbaijan as positive event. "We can expand political, economic and other relations with Azerbaijan," Brown said.

The Azerbaijani President said that political, economic and other relations develop between two countries successfully. "Relations between BP and Azerbaijan develop successfully many years. There are prospects in development of relations in other spheres too," the Azerbaijani president said. Ilham Aliyev spoke in details about success of Azerbaijan in economy, energy and non-oil sector.

As to Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Azerbaijani president said that Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan creates significant obstacle for development of the region.

The memorandum on mutual understanding was signed between the Azerbaijani state oil company (SOCAR) and BP after the meeting. The document was signed by president of the Azerbaijani state oil company Rovnag Abdullayev and BP president forproduction Andy Inglis.

09:17

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at his residence in London met with BP`s Chief Executive Tony Hayward on July 13.

The sides noted cooperation between BP and Azerbaijan was continuing at a high-level. They expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to boost.
The talks also revolved around the current state of and prospects for development of the Shahdeniz field.

July 13

11:20

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today arrived in the United Kingdom for an official visit.

At the London Stansted Airport the Azerbaijani President and his spouse Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva were welcomed by top-ranking British state and government officials.

The President inspected a ceremonial guard of honor.

From the airport the Azerbaijani President was escorted to his temporary residence.

09:36

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev headed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for an official visit on July 12.
At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the President was seen off by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Chief of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Baku Mayor Hajibala Abutalybov.

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