There are many opportunities for Azerbaijan-Albania cooperation - President Ilham Aliyev (FULL STATEMENT)
Following the one-on-one meeting, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj have made press statements.
President Ilham Aliyev's statement reads:
" - Dear Mr. President.
Dear ladies and gentlemen.
First of all, Mr. President, I would like to thank you for the invitation and your hospitality.
I am visiting your beautiful country for the first time and I am very happy to be here. I am sure that this visit will give a strong impetus to the development of Albanian-Azerbaijani relations. We have discussed many issues today in the one-on-one meeting and expressed confidence that there are great opportunities for future cooperations.
As for the political dialogue, Albanian presidents have visited Azerbaijan many times in previous years. Just this year, former President Meta was on a visit to Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister Edi Rama was also our guest in April of this year. My visit today shows that there are many beautiful manifestations of political dialogue and there is a very strong dynamism. That is, these close political contacts, of course, show our intention, our interest in each other, and at the same time, allow for important issues to be discussed.
Our successful cooperation in international organizations also further strengthens our relations. You mentioned that Albania has always supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and this support has always been mutual, which we highly appreciate. We value the statements of the Albanian officials, both during the occupation and during the Second Karabakh War, and the support shown to the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
As a result of the Second Karabakh War, we liberated our ancient lands from the invaders, restored international law and justice. You mentioned the resolutions of the UN Security Council. I should mention that these resolutions were adopted in 1993. However, these resolutions were not implemented for 27 years. Armenia was not interested in the implementation of these resolutions, in fact ignored them, while the international communities simply turned a blind eye to it, and no sanctions were imposed on Armenia. Although Azerbaijan has repeatedly raised the issue of applying sanctions against Armenia and punishment for their war-crimes. Because occupying 20 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan is a big crime and illegal settlement in the occupied lands is a war crime. The devastation caused there actually made those lands completely devoid of life. I informed you that Armenians destroyed 65 out of 67 mosques during the occupation, and kept animals - cows and pigs - in the remaining two mosques and have insulted the beliefs of all Muslims.
We have solved this issue on our own, restored justice, and now the Azerbaijani flag is raised on the liberated lands. With our return, life has once again awakened in these lands. Of course, your country's support for us in this issue was important for our people, and I would like to thank you once again for that.
I agree with you that the joint working group on economy and industry should hold its first meeting soon. Because there are many issues to be discussed. Today, we talked with you about cooperation in the gas field, we exchanged ideas about the achieved achievements and the things to be done. However, there are many good opportunities for cooperation besides the energy sector - mutual investment, joint activity of Albanian and Azerbaijani companies, creation of joint enterprises, tourism, agriculture, modern technologies. I know that all these areas are priorities for your country and for us. Therefore, I am sure that we will confidently step in these directions.
As for gas supply issues, Azerbaijan and Albania are members of the TAP project, and our countries played a very important role in the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor. Representatives of Albania have always actively participated in many meetings of the Southern Gas Corridor Consultative Council held under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan and the European Union. Today, Azerbaijani gas contributes to Europe's energy security. In July of this year, a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation in the field of energy was signed between Azerbaijan and the European Commission. Based on that Memorandum, we intend to double gas supplies to Europe by 2027. Of course, that gas will pass through the territory of Albania, thus providing additional support and contribution to Europe's energy security.
Our gas reserves are very plentiful. Currently, the issue of twice expansion of both TAP and TANAP gas pipelines is being discussed. This project, that is - the Southern Gas Corridor - has been in operation for almost two years. But the expansion of these two pipelines, which are already an integral part of the Southern Gas Corridor, is being discussed. Which shows that there is a great need and demand for this. Azerbaijan is already recognized and valued as a reliable partner by European Union officials. Of course, we also understand this responsibility well.
At the same time, we talked with you today about the contribution we can make to the development of the gas industry in Albania. We have our thoughts on this matter. A gas network has not been established in Albania to date. Azerbaijan can participate in this field as an investor, and we are ready for it. Today we will discuss this issue and other issues related to the field of energy.
I want to touch on one more issue, Azerbaijan has a platform of close cooperation with NATO. We have actively participated in NATO operations in Afghanistan for many years. We were among the first non-NATO countries to join the peacekeeping mission. We are among the last two countries to leave Afghanistan - the last two countries were Turkey and Azerbaijan. All other NATO members left before us. That is, I want to say that this is also a manifestation of our responsibility. Albania, as a member of NATO, has always given great support to NATO-Azerbaijan relations. That's why I am grateful to you.
At the end of my speech, in front of the press, I want to invite you to an official visit to Azerbaijan. Thank you again for the invitation and hospitality. Thank you."
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