Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
March 23 2004

ENLARGED MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND UZBEKISTAN
[March 23, 2004, 20:55:08]

After the private meeting on 23 March, at the conference hall of
`Durmen’ residence, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and of
Uzbekistan Islam Karimov held an enlarged meeting, AzerTAj
correspondents reported.

President Islam Karimov said he was pleased with the visit of
Azerbaijan President and that it would be a new phase in development
of the bilateral relations between the two countries. President Islam
Karimov also stressed that he was pleased with continuation of the
policy of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. Thanks to
the efforts of President Heydar Aliyev, bilateral relations of the
two countries – both political and cultural relations – have reached
a high level, he underlined.

President of Uzbekistan reminded that the economic relations between
the two countries have developed enough, so that goods turnover in
the two months of current year made up $18 million.

This is not satisfactory, but, however, it has exceeded the 2003
figures.

Touching the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, President Islam Karimov
stated that Armenia should release the occupied lands and territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan be restored.

Noting the historical traditions, cultural commonness between the two
countries that set ground for future development of the relations
between the two peoples and states, President Islam Karimov once
again welcomed president of Azerbaijan and wished success in his
state visit.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated that this visit is of
great significance for him and he would not spare himself for further
strengthening of bilateral relations founded by the national leader
of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov
between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Head of the Azerbaijani state said
that the two countries are friends and brothers, reminded the
successful cooperation of the countries in the frame of international
projects to improve welfare of the two peoples. Evidence to that are
the Great Silk Road and TRACECA projects.

Head of Azerbaijani state stressed the necessity of strengthening of
economic links, increasing volume of goods turnover and expressed his
confidence that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan would reach greater
achievements in economic cooperation.

Reminding that recently Azerbaijan purchased two aircrafts in
Tashkent said that this is the start of strengthening of economic
cooperation and stated that Azerbaijan stands ready for larger co-op
in joint projects.

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