DIPLOMAT &INTERNATIONAL CANADA PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 3 2007

Canadian magazine Diplomat & International Canada published an
article titled "Stability increases as Azerbaijan’s energy wealth
flows outward" that was prepared by the Azerbaijani embassy in Canada,
Azerbaijani embassy in Canada told the APA.

The article says that Azerbaijan became regional leader during Heydar
Aliyev’s tenure despite complicated geopolitical situation 10 years
ago. The article says that GDP growth rate for the past five years was
12% annually (World Bank’s calculations). The author underlines that
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbili-Arzurum main export oil and gas
pipelines launched in 2006, while construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Gars
railway has commenced and Baku has emerged one of the most important
sites for investment: "Such regional projects bring Azerbaijan and
European Union together. A memorandum of Understanding on energy
cooperation was signed between Azerbaijan and EU in 2006".

The article also mentions Azerbaijan’s intention on the integration in
Euro-Atlantic structures, saying that country’s energy reserves attract
capitalists from Europe, Asia and US. The article focused on the
development of relations between Azerbaijan and Canada stressing the
fact that Canada trade mission was in Baku in June. The establishment
of the fund for Azerbaijani students studying abroad and State Oil
Fund for transparent management of oil incomes were kept in focus in
the article.

"If Azerbaijan’s occupied territories are liberated it will benefit
from all transregional project" the article says touching upon
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Reforms and industrial projects implemented in Azerbaijan could be
useful for the whole region ad international community’s including
Canada’s support is very important in this context: "Tight relations
will serve to expand global energy sources and strengthen stability
in one of the most strategic regions of the world.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress