Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 5 2006
9th summit of Economic Cooperation Organization launched in Baku
[ 05 May 2006 19:15 ]
Today 9th summit of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has
launched in Baku.
(APA). Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev, President of Iran Mahmud
Ahmadinejad, Pakistani prime minister Shovkat Aziz, Tajikistani prime
minister Akil Akilov, Kazakhstan’s prime minister Danial Akhmetov,
first deputy prime minister of Kyrgyzstan Medetbek Kerimkulov,
Turkish prime minister Recap Tayyip Erdogan, Afghanistan president
Hamid Karzai, Kyrgyzstan deputy prime minister Almanbet Matubraimov,
Uzbekistan parliament Legislation Chamber chairman Erkin Khalilov,
delegation headed by special representative of Turkmenistan president
on Caspian Sea issues Khoshgaldi Babayev were represented in the
summit. Opening the summit, Tajikistani Prime Minister Akil Akilov,
who chaired the organization until this day, stated that ECO has
significant role in regional cooperation, and it is of effective
mechanism for protecting stability in the region, bilateral relations
in the field of economic- commercial, industrial, agricultural,
transport and scientific technical fields. “We have more serious
duties to implement; to expand ECO member states’ regional
cooperation, increase efficiency of the organization, and necessary
decisions should be adopted for raising new level.” Then Mr.Akilov
granted the chairmanship to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In
his speech, President Ilham Aliyev expressed his hope for the success
of the summit, analyses of the activity of the organization in the
process of the summit, as well as efficient dialogue related to the
activity of the organization. Stressing the ancient and deep roots of
historical and cultural relations of ECO member countries, the
president said it to be good bases for successful activity. Mr.Aliyev
stressed economic increase in the region with certain figures
concerning Azerbaijan. “Last year Azerbaijani economy increased 26%,
this gives chance for implementation of economic projects. General
product has increased 40% and within this year this level will be
preserved. In the last two years and half, 380 thousands job places
have led to decrease of unemployment and the number of people living
in poverty.” Azerbaijani President has stated that he attaches much
importance to regional cooperation, the country being of member of
several regional projects. ” Caspian Sea states implement much work
for transportation of oil-gas resources to deliver to world market
and this projects serves stability in the region as well as economic
growth “. President stated that some months later, Azerbaijan will
deliver gas to Turkey at first and from there through
Baku-Tbilisi-Arzurum gas pipeline will be transferred to the
necessary places.”
President stated that successful cooperation is implemented in energy
field with Iran, gas and electric projects are implemented through
exchange ways. The State head expressed his hope for success of
East-west transport corridor that will serve development of transport
infrastructure, and of Gars-Tbilisi-Baku railway projects. In the end
of his speech, the Azerbaijani president stated that there are issues
in the region that cause anxiety. With regard to international
terrorism, he called all the world countries to struggle against it.
“Azerbaijan is a country suffering from the terror, more than 2
thousand people have died as a result of more that 30 terror acts
implemented by Armenian terrorists, and Armenian aggression to
Azerbaijan is obstacle to the development of the region. Azerbaijani
president reminding that he is for the settlement of Nagorno Garabagh
conflict to be solved in peaceful way, with regard to it he stated
that Azerbaijani peoples’ patient is not endless and noted that
solution of the problem should be found through international law
norms.”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude to ECO member
countries for their support to Azerbaijan, after which the summit
continued its work without participation of journalists./APA/