Minister: Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan dynamically develop political, economic and cultural ties

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have common historical roots, culture, language and religion, and the countries are dynamically developing political, economic and cultural relations, Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev said on Friday speaking at the opening if the Azerbaijani National Exhibition in Tashkent.

"The holding of the first national exhibition of Azerbaijan in a brotherly Uzbekistan is not accidental. Our countries have common historical roots, culture, language and religion. The countries are dynamically developing political, economic and cultural relations. Undoubtedly, the personal friendship existed between Azerbaijani National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Uzbek President Islam Karimov was a decisive condition for the success of this cooperation. It is gratifying that President Ilham Aliyev and Mr. Karimov have developed the same friendly relations," Mustafayev said.

According to him, the regular reciprocal visits of the countries' leaders and official delegations, as well as businessmen, negotiations conducted within the framework of these visits and the signed documents provide the sustainable development of multilateral relations.

"I would like to note with pleasure Uzbekistan's fair position on the issue of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan, which was once again underlined by Mr.Karimov during President Aliyev's visit to the country in September this year," Mustafayev said.

According to him, the two countries have strong legal base between each other.

"The sides signed bilateral agreements in various spheres, in particular the agreement on encouragement and mutual protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation, economic cooperation for 2011-2015, free trade, customs cooperation and etc," Mustafayev said.

"The intergovernmental commission established in 1997 plays an important role in the development of bilateral economic relations. The protocol signed following the ninth session of the commission held in Tashkent on Sept. 2 this year, reflected an agreement on various areas of bilateral relations and I believe that both sides will take necessary measures to resolve the issues under the protocol."

He said the trade relations are one of the important areas of cooperation between the two countries.

"The total trade turnover grew by 23%, including exports by 2.2 times, in January-September 2010 compared to the corresponding period last year. However, it should be recognized that the volume of mutual trade and economic relations as a whole has not match the level of political cooperation between our countries, and there is great potential for further development. Based on this need, during President Aliyev's recent visit the two leaders agreed on holding of a national exhibition of our countries. I am very pleased that we were able to so quickly and promptly fulfill the tasks instructed by the presidents of our countries," Mustafayev said.

According to him, the national exhibition will demonstrate approximately 1,700 species of various goods produced by some 170 leading enterprises and companies of Azerbaijan, which has great export opportunities.

"At today's show you will have the opportunity to become acquainted with Azerbaijan's achievements during its independenceThe exhibition will demonstrate the indicators of the country's achievements in the socio-economic development, energy, industry, communications and information technologies, transportation, agriculture, environment, tourism, culture, folk art, health, education, sports and other social spheres," Mustafayev added.

Mustafayev noted that the day when the goods from Central Asia will be transported to Europe via the Baku - Tbilisi - Kars railway, whose construction is well underway, is not so far.


/Trend/