Meeting with a delegation led by the Great Britain’s state minister for trade and export promotion

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met a delegation led by Baroness Rona Fairhead, the Great Britain’s state minister for trade and export promotion, the co-chair of the intergovernmental committee, December 14.

Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva said the visit by the Great Britain’s state minister for trade and export promotion, the co-chair of the intergovernmental committee Baroness Rona Fairhead to Azerbaijan would serve the development of bilateral relations. Noting Azerbaijan’s establishing cooperation with the Great Britain in a number of areas after the country regained its state independence, Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized the relations in the oil and gas sector, underscoring the cooperation with BP of the Great Britain in these relations. BP’s activity in Azerbaijan spanning over 20 years was mentioned, emphasizing that this cooperation has been highly appreciated in the country. The launch of a new phase of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli Project and signing of a new agreement were noted, saying that this shows that the existing cooperation is in the interests of both the Great Britain and Azerbaijan. Noting BP’s being the main investor in the Shahdeniz-2 Project, and TANAP Project’s coming to the end the following year, Azerbaijan’s First Vice-president said that by these projects Azerbaijan has been contributing to Europe’s energy security.

Underscoring the necessity of building extensive and fruitful cooperation also in other spheres of economy, including the non-oil sector, Mehriban Aliyeva brought to attention that increasing the commodity circulation, as well as extending cooperation in such areas as tourism, agriculture, high technologies and transport had great perspectives. Confidence was expressed that this visit would open new possibilities in terms of cooperation.

Emphasizing the cooperation in the humanitarian sphere in order for our peoples to know each-other more closely, Mehriban Aliyeva underscored the broadening relations in the field of education between Azerbaijan and the Great Britain recent years, saying that teaching in 16 schools of the country is conducted in English, and hundreds of Azerbaijanis study in the Great Britain.

Citing vast possibilities in the country for cooperation in the sphere of culture, Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized the high-level relations built between the Education Ministry of Azerbaijan and the Oxford University. Saying “Our bilateral relations can be valued as high”, Mehriban Aliyeva expressed confidence that broader cooperation could be established in future, based on mutual interests.

Baroness Rona Fairhead thanked for the hospitality shown towards her in Azerbaijan. The guest talked about the meetings she had in Azerbaijan, underscoring the significance of the discussions from the point of view of extending bilateral relations and strengthening them further.