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AZERI PRESIDENT TO BEGIN WORKING VISIT TO FRANCE
ITAR-TASS
September 17, 2012 Monday 11:47 AM GMT+4
Russia
Development of bilateral relations and regional security will be in
the focus of discussions of a two-day working visit of President
Ilkham Aaliyev of Azerbaijan to France which begins on Monday.
As ambassador of France in Baku Pascal Monye told local journalists,
the Azerbaijanian head of state is expected to meet with his French
counterpart Francois Hollande and other leaders of the country.
According to him, one of the key issues at the talks will be the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the situation developed in the
negotiation process on its settlement. "France is concerned about
tension in the region and wants its easing. That's why the Karabakh
issue will be in the focus of the two leaders' talks," the diplomat
said. Baku, for its part, also hopes for intensification of Paris'
efforts in resolving the conflict, taking into account that France is
one of three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group fulfilling the role
of an international mediator in settling this problem of many years.
Experts also name energy cooperation, which has been actively
developing of late, among important topics of the Azerbaijanian-French
summit talks. In particular, the French energy giant Total owns a
10-percent share of participation in the project of development of one
of the biggest gas fields on the Caspian shelf Shah Deniz the reserves
of which amount to 1.2 trillion cubic meters. Besides, Total and Gaz
de France Company Dossierare the main shareholders of the project of
development of one of the rather perspective field Absheron in
Azerbaijan's Caspian sector, the proved reserves of which amount to
400 billion cubic meters. Recently Total also said about its intention
to become one of the shareholders of the Trans-Atlantic Pipeline, the
construction of which Azerbaijan and Turkey plan to begin next year.
This 2,000-kilometer long pipeline will be an important segment of
transportation of Azerbaijanian gas to Europe. The State Oil Company
of Azerbaijan doesn't conceal its plans to sell a part of its 80
percent of shares in this project, retaining the controlling block of
shares. As Monye stressed, during Aliyev's visit to Paris, he is to
meet with leaders of a number of French big companies and
entrepreneurs.
Some analysts don't rule out that international problems, including
those around Iran, as well as issues of deepening the two countries'
cultural cooperation, will be discussed at the talks between Aliyev
and Hollande. The visit program includes the Azerabijanian president's
participation in the opening of a pavilion of Islamic culture in
Louvre.
ITAR-TASS
September 17, 2012 Monday 11:47 AM GMT+4
Russia
Development of bilateral relations and regional security will be in
the focus of discussions of a two-day working visit of President
Ilkham Aaliyev of Azerbaijan to France which begins on Monday.
As ambassador of France in Baku Pascal Monye told local journalists,
the Azerbaijanian head of state is expected to meet with his French
counterpart Francois Hollande and other leaders of the country.
According to him, one of the key issues at the talks will be the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the situation developed in the
negotiation process on its settlement. "France is concerned about
tension in the region and wants its easing. That's why the Karabakh
issue will be in the focus of the two leaders' talks," the diplomat
said. Baku, for its part, also hopes for intensification of Paris'
efforts in resolving the conflict, taking into account that France is
one of three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group fulfilling the role
of an international mediator in settling this problem of many years.
Experts also name energy cooperation, which has been actively
developing of late, among important topics of the Azerbaijanian-French
summit talks. In particular, the French energy giant Total owns a
10-percent share of participation in the project of development of one
of the biggest gas fields on the Caspian shelf Shah Deniz the reserves
of which amount to 1.2 trillion cubic meters. Besides, Total and Gaz
de France Company Dossierare the main shareholders of the project of
development of one of the rather perspective field Absheron in
Azerbaijan's Caspian sector, the proved reserves of which amount to
400 billion cubic meters. Recently Total also said about its intention
to become one of the shareholders of the Trans-Atlantic Pipeline, the
construction of which Azerbaijan and Turkey plan to begin next year.
This 2,000-kilometer long pipeline will be an important segment of
transportation of Azerbaijanian gas to Europe. The State Oil Company
of Azerbaijan doesn't conceal its plans to sell a part of its 80
percent of shares in this project, retaining the controlling block of
shares. As Monye stressed, during Aliyev's visit to Paris, he is to
meet with leaders of a number of French big companies and
entrepreneurs.
Some analysts don't rule out that international problems, including
those around Iran, as well as issues of deepening the two countries'
cultural cooperation, will be discussed at the talks between Aliyev
and Hollande. The visit program includes the Azerabijanian president's
participation in the opening of a pavilion of Islamic culture in
Louvre.