YUSHCHENKO HELD TALKS WITH ALIYEV

UNIAN , Ukraine
Sept 8 2006

In Baku, Victor Yushchenko and Ilham Aliyev have discussed areas
of cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, according to the
President’s press-office.

They agreed the two countries strived to profoundly develop bilateral
relations and thereby decided to establish an interstate commission
to deal with the most important issues.

Mr. Yushchenko said Ukraine was ready to take part in energy projects
together with Azerbaijan and offered his colleague cooperation in
the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline project.

In his turn, Mr. Aliyev said his country produced more oil every year,
adding it was quite expedient to transport Caspian hydrocarbons to
European consumers via Ukraine. The leaders also discussed their
experience in the exploration of oil fields and production of crude,
particularly in the Black Sea.

They agreed the two countries could also cooperate in agriculture
and in the military sector, and also jointly build aircraft.

Mr. Yushchenko and Mr. Aliyev broached the subject of regional
cooperation. The President of Ukraine said his country would help
Azerbaijan settle the Nagorny Karabakh armed conflict.

Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk, First Deputy Premier Andriy Klyuyev,
Emergency Minister Viktor Baloha, First Deputy Energy Minister Vadym
Chuprun, Agriculture Minister Yuriy Melnyk, Transport Minister Mykola
Rudkovsky, Naftogaz Chairman Volodymyr Sheludchenko, Ukrtransnafta
Head of the Board Evhen Bakulin and deputies Anatoly Kinakh and Eduard
Zeynalov attended the talks.

Then the Presidents took part in a ceremony to sign bilateral
agreements.

Victor Yushchenko and Ilham Aliyev signed a Joint Declaration Between
Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Naftogaz Chairman Volodymyr Sheludchenko signed an Agreement Between
Naftogaz Ukraiiny and the Azerbaijan State Oil Company on Long-Term
Cooperation.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Stepan Volkovetsky signed an
Agreement Between Ukraine’s Nuclear Regulation Committee and the Azeri
Emergency Ministry on Cooperation in the Area of Radiological Security.

Agriculture Minister Yuriy Melnyk signed an Agreement Between the
Agriculture Ministry of Ukraine and the Agriculture Ministry of
Azerbaijan on Cooperation in the Area of the State Testing and
Protection of Varieties of Plants.

Transport Minister Mykola Rudkovsky signed an Agreement Between the
Government of Ukraine and the Government of Azerbaijan on International
Combined Cargo Transportation.

Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk signed an Agreement Between the
Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan
on the Training of Diplomats and an Agreement Between the Government
of Ukraine and the Government of Azerbaijan on the Protection of
the Environment.