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BAKU: Statement by PM of Turkey Erdogan
July 02, 2005 00:56:49
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 30 2005
STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
[June 30, 2005, 16:08:10]
I express my deep gratitude to the esteemed President for this
contentful statement. On behalf of myself and on behalf of the
delegation, I also express gratitude for the hospitality we have been
shown since yesterday night. During our private meeting as well as
the one between the delegations, we have discussed Azerbaijan-Turkey
relations in political, economic and cultural spheres. As to
political one, in particular, the Turkey-Azerbaijan links, as well as
the issues related to international cooperation were the focus of
attention.
As the esteemed President noted, our cooperation within international
organizations is continued in line with the two friendly and
brotherly countries~R interests - we are taking important steps. The
cooperation in this area has always been considered the most
important, and it, certainly, will be continued in that way. The
words by the late President Heydar Aliyev ~SOne nation, two states~T
are leading us to the future with confidence.
We have also touched the issues concerning our policy towards Cyprus.
The work will be continued in this direction. The esteemed President
mentioned, much work would be done in Azerbaijan, as well. It gives
us pleasure. This includes charter flights, and joint implementation
of the great work in trade and economic fields. The steps to be taken
in these areas are really gratifying.
We are claiming once again we will continue to support Azerbaijan in
both the Council of Europe and NATO. Our policy towards the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the same as before. Turkey will never
leave Azerbaijan alone as to its conflict with Armenia. In
particular, our approach to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is fully in
line with that of Azerbaijan. We have responded to all the proposals
and demands we have had before in the same way.
As you know, the Council of Europe~Rs decision to recognize Armenia as
an aggressor was a result of special efforts by Turkey too. The
aggressor must release the occupied lands. Fulfillment of this demand
is very important. Turkey supports resolution of this problem through
negotiations. However, this way is possible only after the occupied
territories are released.
One more issue relates to the trade and economic relations existing
between us. As the esteemed President noted, as a matter fact, the
two countries~R cooperation in this field is not on a due level. So,
here advancement is needed. The most important is to bring the trade
turnover to 1 billion dollars. The existing parameter is utterly low.
I am sure the mutual steps to be taken by our businessmen will allow
us to reach the goal.
We are completing the construction of the energy corridor
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan. Starting and ending points of this corridor are
in two countries, which will be connected through Georgia. As for the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum- gas pipeline, intensive steps are now being
taken in this direction. Naturally, the pipeline is not just energy
corridor, but indicates how important the stage we have entered is.
It is of special importance for the future. We have common stance on
this issue too, and we intend to take a plenty of joint steps.
With God's help, the first tanker will be loaded with the Caspian oil
on October 27 in Ceyhan. We are looking forward to that day. The
esteemed President has already accepted our invitation. True, it is
up to you. Of course, I have invited you just formally; there was no
need for the invitation. On October 27, during loading of the first
oil onto the tanker, we will be feeling the same excitement as we
were in Baku while the first oil was pumped into the pipeline.
We also need to achieve further strengthening and expanding of mutual
cultural ties.
We have made the following offer to the esteemed President. We want
the Turkey-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce to be established. The
esteemed President has very positively taken our offer. With God's
help, the two countries~R businessmen, the Association of Turkish
Chambers and Stocks, and the Association of Turkish Businessmen and
Industrialists (TUSIAB) will come to an agreement to create the
chamber. Just like the establishment of the joint intergovernmental
economic commission, the founding of the similar structure for
industrialists and businessmen will bring relations between our
countries up to a higher level.
***
Afterwards, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister
of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to questions from
journalists.
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