Japan Economic Newswire
March 10, 2006 Friday 11:20 AM GMT

Koizumi, Azerbaijan’s Aliyev agree on economic, energy cooperation

TOKYO March 10

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and visiting Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev agreed Friday 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 U.N. 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.