Japanese, Azeri premiers agree on economic, energy cooperation

Kyodo News Service
10 Mar 06

Tokyo, 10 March: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and
visiting Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev agreed Friday [10 March] to
deepen their countries’ economic ties through trade, investment,
energy projects and other exchanges.

In a joint press conference after their talks at the premier’s
official residence in Tokyo, Koizumi called for “further improving
Azerbaijan’s trade and investment climate,” saying Japanese businesses
are interested in the country.

The Japanese leader also expressed thanks for Baku’s support of
Tokyo’s bid to get permanent membership on the UN Security Council,
and voiced hope Azerbaijan will peacefully resolve its regional
conflict with Armenia.

Aliyev said his country has well-funded economic development plans and
needs “good partners – companies with advanced technology, knowledge,
expertise” possibly from Japan which he said is a world leader in this
area.

According to a joint statement the two leaders signed before speaking
to the press, the Azerbaijani side stated its intention to continue
efforts to improve its trade and investment environment through
deregulation plus tax and legal reforms.

Both sides expressed intention to further develop cooperation in the
field of energy, praising two projects in Azerbaijan to develop an oil
field and build an oil pipeline that are joined by Japanese concerns.

Visiting Japan for the first time, Aliyev arrived Tuesday for a
four-day stay.

On Thursday, he met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and agreed
to foster bilateral ties through cooperation in the development of oil
and natural gas exploration in the Caucasus state.