Economic cooperation between Azerbaijan, France is successfully developing: Azerbaijani president - UPDATE - PHOTOS

Dec. 10
09:53

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev ended on Wednesday his official visit to France.
At the Paris Orly International Airport, the President was seen off by French high-ranking state and government officials.

The same day, President Ilham Aliyev returned home.

At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Head of State was welcomed by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Chief of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Mayor of Baku Hajibala Abutalibov.

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President of France Nicolas Sarkozy met here with visiting President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the Elysee Palace on Dec. 9.

Successful development of political, economic, cultural ties between the two countries was stressed during the meeting.

French President Sarkozy said France is interested in developing cooperation with Azerbaijan as the most stable and rapidly developing country in the region.

The parties discussed cooperation in the economic, energy and non-oil fields and expressed assurance for expansion of cooperation in these fields.

Discussions also revolved around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijani leader briefed his French counterpart on Azerbaijan’s stance on the problem and ongoing peace talks.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with businessmen affiliated with the MEDEF, French Business Confederation on Dec. 9.

“Over recent years, economic cooperation between our countries has successfully developed with a number of French companies starting their business in Azerbaijan,” President Ilham Aliyev said in the meeting

The Head of State noted trade turnover between France and Azerbaijan increased to about $2.5 billion.

“I hope after this meeting and MEDEF's recent Baku meeting, we will define new priorities and new areas for cooperation for future investment in our country in line with interests of French stockholders and Azerbaijan government`s priorities,” said the President.

“I think French companies will be our partners in implementation of important projects in the years to come,” said the Head of State.

Azerbaijani leader invited French companies to participate in the 2010 state investment program worth 4.5-5 billion dollars.

“We invite our partners to invest this year in the energy and non-energy sector in our country,” said President Ilham Aliyev.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met here with President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher on Dec. 9.

It was stressed during the meeting that expansion of interparliamentary ties contributes to Azerbaijan-French bilateral relations.

The parties noted Azerbaijani President`s official visit to France is important for further enhancing bilateral ties. The role of friendship groups in strengthening interparliamentary ties was highlighted.

The sides spoke of importance of cooperation between legislative bodies of both countries. They shared their opinions on the peace talks on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and regional issues.

The Head of State signed a Senate's guest book.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met at his temporary residence here the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Dec. 9.

They said relations between Azerbaijan and France in various spheres including political one are at high level.

President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of his visit to France in terms of developing bilateral relationship.

The sides also exchanged views on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict, regional and international issues.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the National Assembly of France where he met with its President Bernard Accoyer on Dec. 9.

Here, President Ilham Aliyev and Accoyer had their photo taken together.

Bernard Accoyer said France is curious about Azerbaijan and activity of its President.

Accoyer pledged to spare no efforts towards successful development of interparliamentary ties.
He pointed out there is friendly relationship between the two nations, adding personal relationship between the two countries` presidents is an evidence of it.

President of the National Assembly noted relations between the countries are successfully developing in other fields as well, saying cooperation with Azerbaijan is important amidst the global economic crisis.

He said, “our economic relations with Azerbaijan are steadily developing”. According to Bernard Accoyer, two countries` interests coincide. He expressed assurance that bilateral economic ties would continue to strengthen.

Accoyer noted France places high priority on the energy security and considers Azerbaijan as one of important countries in this field.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stressed his present visit will be an important step towards development of bilateral relations. He expressed confidence that relationship would continue to develop in the future.

According to President Aliyev, France-Azerbaijan bilateral ties are based on mutual interests and have good prospects.

President Ilham Aliyev said political relations between both nations are at a high level.

“Given there were one state and two official visits, it is a good indicator,” said the President.
President Ilham Aliyev noted France-Azerbaijan bilateral relations are diversified with political, economic, cultural ties strengthening intensively.

Azerbaijani leader pointed out Azerbaijan puts a particular emphasis on interparliamentary cooperation and this visit is a good opportunity for reviewing successfully developing relations and concrete steps in this area.

President Ilham Aliyev noted French companies are very active in Azerbaijan and the country actively cooperates with French companies in the energy and other fields.

The Head of State told of the progress achieved in the energy field, and Azerbaijan` role in ensuring energy security of Europe.

Bernard Accoyer was curious about Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

President Ilham Aliyev briefed Accoyer on the peace talks on the conflict and its prospects.

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Dec. 9
09:21

A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President at the Orly International Airport decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and France.

President Ilham Aliyev was welcomed by top ranking French state and government officials.

The Azerbaijani leader inspected a ceremonial guard of honor as a military orchestra played the national anthems of Azerbaijan and France.

President Ilham Aliyev was escorted to his temporary residence.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met Vice-Chairman and President of GDF SUEZ Jean-Francois Cirelli.

They exchanged views on prospects for developing the cooperation between Azerbaijan and GDF SUEZ.

It was stressed the firm already operated in Azerbaijan and was involved in a number of projects with other companies.

They also discussed gas cooperation and Nabucco project.

/AzerTaj/

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