President: Azerbaijan`s oil makes up 25-30 percent of energy resources of some European countries - PHOTOS - UPDATE

“Currently, our oil is exported to the world markets including to Europe. Azerbaijan`s oil makes up 25-30% of energy resources of some European countries,” said Azerbaijan`s President.

“We contribute to the energy security of our partners,” President Ilham Aliyev told an Azerbaijan-Hungary business forum, which was also attended by his Hungarian counterpart Pal Schmitt.

“When characterizing the economic development of Azerbaijan overall, it is impossible to bypass the energy sector. This sphere was traditional to us. Azerbaijan was first to apply industrial methods in oil production. For the first time ever, the oil from offshore fields was also produced in Azerbaijan.”

“Azerbaijan is famous as an ancient land of oil. In the years of the Second World War Azerbaijan accounted for 70-80 percent of fuel in the Soviet Union, Azerbaijani oilmen played an exceptional role in victory over fascism.”

The President said: “Currently Azerbaijan has started to present itself to the world as a gas country and the potential in this sphere is quite high. The large gas fields discovered in Azerbaijan will help us at least to ensure gas to ourselves and our partners within the next century. We have a broad transport network. Our seven oil and gas pipelines are functioning supplying our resources to the world markets in different directions.”

“The Declaration on the South Gas Corridor signed between the EU and Azerbaijan earlier this year had a very positive impact on development of ties between Europe and Azerbaijan. I am sure that in coming years Azerbaijan will be able to establish effective cooperation with Hungary and other European countries in gas sector,” President Aliyev added.

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“Over $16 billion was invested in the Azerbaijani economy last year alone. Most of this is domestic, Azerbaijani investment,” President Ilham Aliyev said at the Azerbaijan-Hungary business forum. “Besides, the country consistently attracts foreign investment, and I can say that Azerbaijan is among CIS leaders for the amount of direct foreign investment.”

The President noted “In general, the Azerbaijani economy has received over $100 billion in investment in the last 15 years, which has also given a powerful impetus to our all-round economic development.”

President Aliyev said “Currently, the priority issue related to our economic policies is economic diversification. Specific measures are taken to reduce our dependence on the energy factor and develop the private sector. Specific programs are also implemented to develop and promote small and medium-sized businesses.”

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“Azerbaijan is a country rich in natural resources. The energy projects implemented on our initiative provide not only our own energy security, but also the energy security of regional states,” President Ilham Aliyev said while making press statement in Baku together with President Pal Schmitt.

President Aliyev said “Our energy cooperation with European countries is very successfully. Azerbaijani oil has been delivered to Europe for several years now, and I am sure that our gas initiatives will be as successful. Of course, our energy cooperation will give an impetus to bilateral relations. I am very pleased that our energy companies also cooperate very closely. This collaboration will clearly have a positive impact on the overall development of Azerbaijani-Hungarian relations.”

The Head of State also noted “At the same time, Azerbaijan is successfully cooperating with the European Union in the energy sphere, particularly in the Southern Gas Corridor. Earlier this year, the European Union and Azerbaijan signed a declaration on this issue and set up a working group. At present, the working group representatives cooperate very closely and make effort to implement the Southern Gas Corridor. In short, energy cooperation will have a positive impact on the development of EU-Azerbaijan relations as a whole. This cooperation is based on mutual interests. I am sure this cooperation has a great future. Besides, I should say that the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are developing successfully in general. Hungary has always supported this cooperation. We feel and appreciate this support.”

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“The attention of almost whole Europe is focused on Baku now, because everyone lives with the hope that it is on this route, on the route of energy resources to be transported to Europe from here that diversification will be ensured,” President of Hungary Pal Schmitt said when he made press statement in Baku.

The Hungarian President said “We see Azerbaijan as a close partner. We have common cultural roots. It is this area that has been spoken about a lot here.”

President Schmitt noted “We also take steps within the framework of our bilateral relations, relations between Hungary and Azerbaijan, relations with the European Union. We will continue to do everything possible for the citizens of Azerbaijan to get travel visas in the shortest possible time. I am very pleased that these negotiations will be expedited.”


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12.11.2011

President of Hungary Pal Schmitt yesterday visited Heydar Aliyev Foundation. Pal Schmitt was welcomed by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva.

Azerbaijani President briefed his Hungarian counterpart on the activity of the Foundation.

President of Hungary was told the main goal of the Foundation is to study and popularize prominent political figure Heydar Aliyev`s rich heritage, and assist projects promoting the country`s history and culture.

Hungarian President saw exhibits taken from the archive of the great leader, pictures covering various moments of his life and giving comprehensive idea of the whole history of Azerbaijan, photos taken with figures of science, culture and art, leaders of different countries. Pal Schmitt signed the Foundation`s guest book.

President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva handed over a keepsake to the Hungarian President.

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11.11.2011

An Azerbaijan-Hungary business forum has today been held here. Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pal Schmitt of Hungary attended the forum.

The Heads of State were warmly welcomed by the event participants. The Presidents addressed the business forum.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today hosted an official reception in honor of visiting Hungarian President Pal Schmitt.

The Presidents made speeches at the event.

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Following a ceremony of signing documents, Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pal Schmitt of Hungary made statements for media outlets.

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A signing ceremony of Azerbaijan-Hungary documents was held here with participation of Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pal Schmitt of Hungary. Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Hungary Vilayat Guliyev and deputy chief of Hungarian Taxes and Financial Control Administration Arnold Mihai signed a memorandum of cooperation on tax administration between Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Taxes and Hungary`s Ministry for National Economy.

Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Hungary Vilayat Guliyev and Hungarian ambassador to Azerbaijan Zsolt Chutora signed an agreement of military cooperation between the Ministries of Defence of Azerbaijan and Hungary. Azerbaijani Minister of Justice Fikrat Mammadov and Hungarian Minister of Public Administration and Justice Robery Repassy signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Justice and Hungarian Ministry of Public Administration and Justice.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Internal Affairs Ramil Usubov and Secretary of State of Hungary`s Interior Ministry Andras Tallai signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Interior Ministry of Hungary.

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Secretary of State of Hungary`s Interior Ministry Andras Tallai signed an agreement of cooperation in emergency situations and mutual aid between the governments of Azerbaijan and Hungary.

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Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pal Schmitt of Hungary have met today in presence of delegations. President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the first visit of the Hungarian President to Azerbaijan would have very good results. “Our bilateral relations are developing successfully. We exchanged views with You on this issue. I am totally confident that your visit will make a valuable contribution to development of this relationship.”

President Aliyev noted political relations give impetus to the development of economic ties, as well. “I am sure that the business forum to be held today will be very important for development of economic cooperation.” “I believe that your visit will have very successful results. So, Hungary-Azerbaijan relationship will enter a new stage.”

Pal Schmitt expressed satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan as the President of Hungary. He congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijan`s regaining its independence. “You have achieved great results over this period. Perhaps European countries would have needed 100 years in order to achieve these results.”

“I am very happy that You consider Hungary as a strategic partner of Azerbaijan. Taking into consideration of Hungary`s position in Europe, we can be your close partner, and actually we are your partner.” President Schmitt noted Azerbaijan and Hungary enjoy friendly relations. He added the two countries had some opportunities to use.

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President of Hungary Pal Schmitt has today been given an official welcome to Azerbaijan.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Hungarian President at the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President Pal Schmitt was welcomed by President Ilham Aliyev. The presidents inspected a ceremonial guard of honor as an orchestra played the national anthems of Hungary and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani state and government officials were introduced to President Pal Schmitt, while members of the Hungarian delegation to President Ilham Aliyev. Then, the presidents posed for photographs.

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Following the official welcoming ceremony, presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Pal Schmitt of Hungary met in private. They expressed satisfaction with development of bilateral relationship in various spheres. They said good potential exists to expand relations between the two countries even more.

The importance of President Schmitt`s visit to Azerbaijan was stressed for strengthening bilateral cooperation even more. The sides exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

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President of Hungary Pal Schmitt yesterday arrived in Azerbaijan for an official visit. A guard of honor was lined up for the Hungarian President at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President Pal Schmitt was welcomed here by First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov and other officials.

The Hungarian President and First Deputy Premier Yagub Eyyubov had a brief meeting at the airport`s VIP lounge.


/AzerTAc/