A meeting with parliamentary deputy of Japan’s Foreign Minister Manabu Hori

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with parliamentary deputy of Japan’s Foreign Minister Manabu Hori, September 15.

Mehriban Aliyeva, greeting the delegation led by parliamentary deputy of Japan’s Foreign Minister Manabu Hori, expressed her delight in their participation in the signing of a new Agreement on the development of “Azeri”, “Chirag” and “Guneshli” oilfields in Baku. It was noted that this year, the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Japan is marked, and that the developing relations between the two countries relied on friendship and mutual interest, covering a number of areas. It was brought to attention that a good expertise has been gathered during these years in the field of oil, and there is great potential for cooperation in the non-oil sector.

Emphasizing that Japan has been a world leader in innovations and advanced technology, Mehriban Aliyeva said that there are good possibilities to develop relation in other spheres too, including agriculture. In order for different peoples to get to know each other more closely, Azerbaijan has been attaching special importance to the development of the humanitarian sphere and, from this standpoint, building cooperation in the field of education is of special importance. Joint projects of our scientists and academics will bring our peoples closer.

Underscoring that another significant area to strengthen the relations was tourism, Mehriban Aliyeva said this sphere is a priority area in our country, emphasizing with delight that the number of tourists coming to our country increases year-by-year. It was told that a simplified visa regime would be an incentive to this sphere. Saying that the Japanese are a people loving to travel, Mehriban Aliyeva expressed hope that more Japanese will choose Azerbaijan to travel to. It was emphasized that the friendly relations are highly appreciated, and that there was great potential to develop these relations further.

Manabu Hori congratulated Mehriban Aliyeva on her appointment to the office of first vice-president. Emphasizing that Japan and Azerbaijan have had successful cooperation during the 25 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the guest said his country was interested in extending the relations with Azerbaijan.

Manabu Hori expressed delight in his participation in the ceremony of signing the new production sharing Agreement - amended and redrafted - on joint development of “Azeri”, “Chirag” fields and the deep portion of “Guneshli” field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, noting that the ceremony was successful.