AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 11 2005

MEETING OF HEADS OF THE STATES IN EXPANDED STRUCTURE
[June 10, 2005, 21:05:50]

On June 10, after the private meeting ended, with participation of
delegations the meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
and the President of Croatia Stipe Mesic has taken place in the
expanded structure.

Presidents welcomed activation of efforts of the European Union and
the Council of Europe in the question of peace settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have emphasized hope
that it renders positive influence on solution of the problem.

The sides have agreed upon encouragement of cooperation between the
diplomatic representatives in the third countries.

The heads of the states have emphasized that both countries would
play important role in strengthening regional safety and stability
within the framework of Council of the Euro-Atlantic cooperation, the
NATO PfP Program and submitted by Azerbaijan the `Operating plan on
individual partnership’.

Having reminded about the threat created by the international
terrorism, the Presidents have stated that support display of global
efforts for elimination of this trouble in conditions of widespread
cooperation from the United Nations.

Having agreed with opinion that connection of Azerbaijan to the
policy of the new neighborhood of Europe will bring in contribution
to restoration of peace and stability to region, the Croatian side
also has emphasized, that at the same time it renders positive
influence on integration of Azerbaijan and other states of region to
Europe. The Croatian side has stated that supports intention of
Azerbaijan to become a member of the World Trade Organization and
welcomes the efforts shown by Azerbaijan in the said direction.

The Azerbaijan side has informed on results of economic reforms
conducted in the country, including about tendencies of intensive
development, about realization of the program on poverty reduction,
deepening of links with the European Union. Also was marked the value
of cooperation for realization of programs TRACECA, INOGATE, the
project of the railway Kars-Tbilisi-Baku. The international value of
investment was especially underlined in build of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern – Caucasian gas
main.

Taking into account the importance of support of activity of the
small and medium enterprises, the heads of the states have noted
necessity of creation of favorable conditions for cooperation between
state and private enterprises of both countries, irrespective of
their form of ownership, financial and bank structures.