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  • BAKU: Joint press conference of Aliyev & Schroeder

    Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
    Aug 26 2004

    JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND CHANCELLOR
    GERHARD SCHROEDER
    [August 26, 2004, 13:06:29]

    On the end of ceremony of signing of the documents, President of
    Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Federal Chancellor of Germany Gerhard
    Schroeder have held a news conference. Head of the government of
    Germany and the President of Azerbaijan have made statements.

    STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY GERHARD SCHROEDER

    - Dear ladies and gentlemen!

    I want to note that I am very glad to welcome here the President of
    Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. It is pleased because Mr. Aliyev after
    election as the President has arrived here with the first official
    visit. Political relations between Azerbaijan and Germany are at a
    fine high level. I think, that Mr. President is very much interested
    in creation in Azerbaijan of a lawful state, makes huge efforts for
    this purpose and has achieved successes. Therefore, I regard him with
    the deep respect. Due to the reforms, which are carried out in the
    country by Mr. Ilham Aliyev, surprising results have been achieved,
    in good sense. And it gives a strong pulse to development of economy,
    and all this will go to the blessing of the Azerbaijan society.

    As of political question, I can tell, that Germany, as before, and
    today is the partner of Azerbaijan, has recognized and will recognize
    territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We concern to this with huge
    respect. Mr. President, and I count, that the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
    Nagorny Karabakh conflict should be settled only by peace way.
    Germany will make its contribution and make efforts within the
    framework of activity of the OSCE Minsk Group.

    Today, all of us became witnesses of signing of the contract
    concerning purchase of four airbuses that serves as display of our
    economic relations. Azerbaijan also counts the given contract
    extremely serious. Certainly, the purpose consists in integration
    into Europe. At the same time, the question is realization of the EU
    New Neighborhood Policy. It follows great purposes.

    I want to note also activity of the German companies in Azerbaijan.
    At our meeting Mr. President has noted, that there are fine
    conditions for cooperation and interactions with the German companies
    in power and infrastructure spheres, and he welcomes them in
    Azerbaijan!' For example, such companies, as "Siemens", is interested
    in realization there of some projects.

    Within the framework of negotiations we came to an agreement that in
    the coming autumn or in the beginning of the next year to carry out
    in Berlin a conference with participation of representatives of the
    German economy in connection with investments in Azerbaijan. In the
    conference, discussed were real opportunities existing in Azerbaijan,
    particularly, concrete projects so that we have started close
    economic cooperation. I am absolutely confident, that visit of Mr.
    president to Germany is useful to both sides and will do well for
    both sides.

    STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV

    - Dear ladies and gentlemen!

    First of all, I want to note, that it is my first official visit to
    Federal Republic of Germany, and I am very glad, that it passes at
    very high level. Within the framework of visit today in the morning I
    have met the President of Germany. Besides my meeting with Mr.
    Federal Chancellor today has taken place. I want to note, that the
    wide exchange of opinions has been carried out. The German-Azerbaijan
    mutual relations were discussed.

    Relations of Azerbaijan with the European Union promptly develop. It
    satisfies both the European Union and us. Germany is one of the
    leading countries of Europe and the world and possesses very powerful
    economic potential.

    Due to the carried out in the last years in Azerbaijan economic
    reforms, our country, too, has got stronger, our economic potential
    every year grows. The authority of Azerbaijan on our region both with
    economic, and from the political point of view grows and its
    positions become stronger. Certainly, taking into account it, we
    hope, that after present visit cooperation existing between the two
    countries in all areas becomes even wider. We very much hope, that
    connections between Germany and Azerbaijan in political, economic and
    in all other spheres became even wider, more strong, and that two
    countries became closer each other.

    We also had exchange of views on concrete projects. Today, the
    contract about purchase of airbuses has been signed. Mr. Chancellor
    has noted, that this contract is extremely important both for
    Azerbaijan, and for the European countries. It is confident, that
    henceforth our cooperation with Europe will develop even more
    promptly and in other branches.

    We are very pleased with the position of the government of Germany in
    the question of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
    Today, Mr. Chancellor has noted that Germany always has faithfully
    concerned and nowadays concerns the territorial integrity of
    Azerbaijan. I hope, that being guided by the mentioned principle, it
    will be shortly possible to achieve peace settlement of the conflict
    between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

    There is a fine ground for the even greater development of mutual
    relations, and the present visit has defined new directions of the
    future cooperation. I want to express confidence, that we and
    henceforth shall cooperate successfully in all areas.

    ***

    Then, the Presidents answered questions of media representatives.

    Q: Mr. Chancellor, you have noted that economic relations between
    Azerbaijan and Germany are at a high level. And what situation in the
    field of culture? If it is necessary to develop connections and in
    this area, what you for this purpose would undertake?

    GERHARD SCHROEDER: I always considered, that it is impossible to
    differentiate the relations between the countries. Irrespective of,
    whether there is a speech about policy or economy, it is necessary to
    concern with respect to each sphere as it makes a basis of fruitful
    cooperation and friendship. Also cultural cooperation with
    Azerbaijan, therefore, is extremely important. Unfortunately, in this
    case I cannot tell, what particularly it means in this area. But if
    in this sphere this or that initiative will be put forward, I am
    ready to support it. I think, that we can approach with optimism to
    the mentioned question as your possession of German language at so
    high level testifies to how far we have promoted in the field of
    culture.

    Q: Mr. President, you have noted, that the Nagorny Karabakh conflict
    can be settled in the political way. What means are necessary for
    this purpose?

    ILHAM ALIYEV: The first means consists that international legal norms
    should be observed. Armenia has occupied the Nagorny Karabakh region
    and adjacent to it our seven regions of Azerbaijan, and occupation
    continue already long years. Until the armed forces of Armenia will
    not be pulled back from the occupied lands, the conflict cannot find
    its settlement. Therefore, first of all, international legal norms
    should be observed. National minorities worldwide live, however, it
    does not mean at all, that they should follow the road of separatism.
    The various nations live in Azerbaijan, and the Armenians, too, can
    live in Nagorny Karabakh. If international legal norms will find
    realization and if the Azerbaijan lands will be released from
    occupation, Azerbaijan and Armenia can come nearer to the peace
    agreement. The thesis, which is put forward by the Armenian side,
    consists that the Armenians living in Nagorny Karabakh should gain
    independence. I want to state that the Armenian people has already
    gained independence, there is a state of Armenia. Their policy has no
    future; it contradicts processes proceeding in the world. I hope,
    that the management of Armenia shortly will understand it and will
    remove the armed forces from the lands not belonging to them.

    Q: Southern Caucasus integrates into the European family, it is
    already counted a part of Europe, and however the European Union has
    not stated concrete position in connection with conflicts on Southern
    Caucasus, including the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Germany is one of
    the leading states of the world, with a notable weight in the
    European Union, the European parliament. What role in this sense
    Germany can play?

    GERHARD SCHROEDER: If the European Parliament will directly interfere
    with the given question it can regard as intervention in the policy
    of the said states. I during conversation with Mr. President have
    noted, that we always recognized territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
    and our position remains unchanged. I think, that such position is
    held not only by us, but also by the European parliament.

    Q: Did You have exchange of views on combat against the international
    terrorism? What can you tell in connection with last air crashes in
    Russia?

    GERHARD SCHROEDER: Unfortunately, I have no exact information on the
    air crashes, and investigations, probably, are conducted, therefore,
    I would not like to suppose discrepancies. The reasons of accidents
    will be known after investigations.

    ***

    On August 25, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received in
    his residence members of the Bundestag of Germany.

    This very day in the evening, the Company "Siemens" arranged a
    banquet in honor of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. During
    the banquet, there were heads of the leading German companies and
    concerns.

    Official visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Germany continues.
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