Ilham Aliyev: Our position is constructive in the peace talks and we expect the same from Armenia - UPDATE

King Abdullah II of Jordan has wrapped up his official visit to Azerbaijan, AzerTAc state news agency reported.

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King Abdullah II of Jordan received at his temporary residence Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade on Sunday. The King expressed satisfaction with talks held here in Baku. He noted Jordan attaches special importance to relations with Azerbaijan, which are based on friendly contacts between the heads of both countries.

For his part, Premier Rasizade pointed out political dialogue between the two countries is actively developing. The Premier stressed the importance of expanding economic ties. He expressed hope that present visit of Jordan`s King will help deepen mutually beneficial business contracts.

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Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed cooperation deals. The contracts between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan have been signed today at the Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Nasser Judeh of Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding on international cooperation between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Jordan.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov and Foreign Minister of Jordan Nasser Judeh signed an agreement on youth cooperation between the Azerbaijani Ministry of Youth and Sport and Jordan`s Supreme Youth Council. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Jordan Elman Arasly and Jordan`s charge d`affaires in Azerbaijan Adel Adaileh were present at the signing ceremony, Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan reported.

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King Abdullah II of Jordan visited the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry's electronic computer plant on Sunday.

Defense Industry Minister Yaver Jamalov told the King about the plant's activity. The Jordan King watched a video about plant`s work and products manufactured here, which are up to world standards. King Abdulla II also saw an exhibition of products manufactured by the ministry`s enterprises. The exhibition featured heavy-calibre sniper rifle, Zafar, Zafar K, Inam pistols, mortars, mine detectors.

The King was told that cooperation with some 60 companies from 20 countries had been established in the fields of aviation, navigation, instrument-making. Ammunition and military equipment produced by the plant has been successfully presented at international exhibitions. The latest exhibition in Amman, Jordan showcased 55 products manufactured by Azerbaijan Defense Ministry`s enterprises.

The Jordan Leader was curious about military hardware and production process. The King saw the Matador, an armoured mine protected vehicle, produced here in accordance with the contract with South Africa's Paramount Group. Azerbaijan is the only country in the CIS area to produce such a vehicle.

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Later the same day, Ilham Aliyev hosted an official lunch in honor of King Abdullah II of Jordan.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and King Abdullah II of Jordan gave a press conference following their meeting in the presence of the two country's official delegations in Baku.

President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Your Majesty,
Dear friends,
Dear guests,

First of all I would like to welcome His Majesty to our country. I`m very pleased that we've had such good discussions today during which we covered a lot of issues concerning our bilateral relations.

We enjoy very good relations. Over several years we`ve been very actively cooperating, and this cooperation has produced good results. We have been conducting a very dynamic political dialogue. We periodically meet, and reciprocal visits by the heads of state strengthen our relations. I believe we will be more focused on our economic cooperation in the years to come. Our business circles have already built primary contacts. However, I think we should make deeper use of our potential. During this visit we've discussed practical aspects of our economic relations and different investment projects, and we have an intention to embark on them in the near future.

Our countries also enjoy close cultural relations. Our relations have long history. And now we should consider what we can do to broaden the agenda of our bilateral relations.

Your Majesty!

We highly appreciate Jordan's open and unambiguous position towards settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We deeply thank you for supporting Azerbaijan within the United Nations. It's been very important to us, because you know that for long years Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territories have been under Armenia's occupation. Over a million Azerbaijanis have become refugees and IDPs as a result of Armenia`s ethnic cleansing policy in our occupied lands.

Twenty percent of our territory has been under the Armenian armed forces' occupation. International organizations adopted a number of resolutions demanding that Armenia liberate our occupied lands. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding the Armenian armed forces' unconditional withdrawal from Azerbaijan's territory. However, these resolutions still remain unfulfilled.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe also adopted resolutions and decisions supporting Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. But, unfortunately, Armenia still continues to refuse all resolutions. For long years our lands have been under occupation. And we've been trying to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. We have a constructive position in the peace talks and await the same from Armenia. And if they do have the same position the dispute can be solved soon.

Your Majesty!

I thank you and your government for the constant support you have shown to Azerbaijan on this issue. And we reciprocate this backing for Jordan within international organizations, and we`ll continue doing so. Our peoples enjoy very good relationship. Our delegations also have very good relations, and I believe they will develop them further.

Once again I express my pleasure of hosting you in our country. I wish you and the people of Jordan peace and prosperity. I believe strong partner relations between our countries will be developed.


King Abdullah, in his turn, said:

- Thank you very much, Your Excellency!
Ladies and gentlemen!

I`m very pleased to be in Baku again. And I`m especially pleased to see the progress that our countries have been making in their relations. I believe the discussions we`ve had today and documents we are going to sign during my visit will strengthen our cooperation. I believe we`ll be a success in outlining areas of our cooperation, in particular in the fields of transport, agriculture, energy and services. In a last few years we've explored a number of promising areas. And I believe the future of our relations is very promising.

Your Excellency!

I'm also pleased to have discussed with you international and regional issues, in particular, those critical in terms of establishing comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Making progress in our efforts towards ensuring the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a matter of extreme urgency for everybody. This must serve to building a sovereign and strong Palestinian state that will co-exist with the state of Israel in peace and security. Settling this conflict is of particular essence for re-establishing stability and security. And we`ve discussed this issue with our brothers in Baku.

In my opinion our states enjoy wide cooperation. We`ve always supported each other on the international level. And, as you mentioned, Your Excellency, we have strong relations in all fields. I have maintained close ties with His Excellency for a long time. We`ve known each other for many years. And our personal contacts proved to be reflected in the relations between our governments and peoples. I believe we will strengthen these special Jordan-Azerbaijan relations in future.

Your Excellency, I'm very glad to see you here and also at international events. I'm very glad to be visiting your country once gain. I sincerely wish to see you again shortly, and I believe our friendship will make our relations closer in future. Thank you very much for the sincere hospitality that you've shown to us.
Thank you.

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Following an official welcome ceremony, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met one-on-one with King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday, AzerTAc state news agency reported. Successful development of Azerbaijan-Jordan relations in a variety of fields was underlined at the meeting. The sides noted this visit would contribute to expansion of relationship even more. The King of Jordan and President of Azerbaijan shared their views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

Following a one-on-one meeting, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and King Abdullah II of Jordan held talks in the presence of both countries' delegations. Following a meeting in presence of delegations, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and King Abdullah II of Jordan made statements for the media outlets.

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Visiting King Abdullah II of Jordan has been given an official welcome here on Sunday, AzerTAc state news agency reported. A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up at the square decorated with the national flags of both countries. The King was welcomed here by Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev. The two leaders inspected the guard of honor. National anthems of Azerbaijan and Jordan were performed. Azerbaijani officials were introduced to King Abdullah II of Jordan, while members of the Jordan delegation to President Ilham Aliyev. Both leaders then posed for photographs.


/Trend, AzerTAc/