International conference "Azerbaijan – Country of Investments" wraps up in Frankfurt

State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) was a general sponsor of the conference. The event brought together businessmen from Azerbaijan and the EU countries. Head of Maleki Group Mr. Nader Maleki made an opening address. The welcoming speech was made by Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to FRG Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan's honorary consul in Schtudgart Otto Hauser and Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Frankfurt Urgen Ratsinger.

In his speech, Mr. Shahbazov said the relations between Germany and Azerbaijan were rapidly developing. He reminded on a visit of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to FRG on February 2010. Shahbazov said there are some representative offices of Azerbaijani companies in Germany, including Azal, SOCAR, International Bank of Azerbaijan. About hundred of Germany firms have already opened offices in Azerbaijan.

Armenia's long-running occupation of Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and seven adjacent regions impedes development of bilateral relations between the countries, said Ambassador. Today, over million refugees and IDPs live in the country, he said.
Mr. Ratsinger praised the economic indices of Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan is one of the first-rate players in oil and gas sector, which demonstrates high reliability of partnership and conscientious relations to the contracts.

Otto Hauser thanked the organizers, sponsors and participants of the conference adding he was pleased with such energy representatives of business sector of Azerbaijan and FRG.

“Azerbaijan rose owing to the efforts of far-sighted policy of national leader Heydar Aliyev”, he said. Mr. Hauser called on compatriots to seriously think about joint projects with Azerbaijan and make investments in this country.

Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy Natig Abbasov told of economic achievements of the country. He said cooperation with the EU is one of priority of Azerbaijan`s foreign policy. Germany takes the central place in these relations. Foreign commodity turnover with Germany reached 637,21 million dollars in 2009, of which 86,75 million falls to the share of Azerbaijan.

Adviser to SOCAR chief Murad Heydarov delivered report on development of oil and gas sector of Azerbaijan. The conference was followed by a reception and concert of jazz and dancing bands from Baku.


/AzerTAc/