BAKU: Azerbaijan, Ukraine Establish New Consultative Mechanism

AZERBAIJAN, UKRAINE ESTABLISH NEW CONSULTATIVE MECHANISM
Author: S.Aliyev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 8 2006

During the talks in Baku on 7 September the Presidents of
Azerbaijan and Ukraine made a resolution on the establishment of a
new consultative mechanism between the two countries. It will be a
council of the two Presents, Trendreports.

Ukrainian President Victor Yuschenko noted that the Council will
develop a strategic plan on co-operation, which will reflect the
issues of bilateral relationships.

Azerbaijani Present Ilham Aliyev stated that during Yuschenko’s
official visit they discussed a range of issues, analyzed the
situation, as well as perspectives for the co-operation," the
Azerbaijani President stressed.

"We regard Ukraine as a friend and important partner. The talks also
focused on co-operation in the energy sector and relevant bodies were
given concrete instructions,’ he stated.

"The most satisfactory issue is that the Ukrainian Diaspora in
Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Diaspora in Ukraine have been integrated
into the society and feel comfortable, which is a positive factor,"
Azerbaijani President stressed.

According to Mr. Aliyev, over the 6 months of 2006 the economic growth
of Azerbaijan was 36%, while industrial production rose 41%.

Over the past several years 435,000 jobs have been opened in
Azerbaijan. "Potential of economy is increasing and opportunities
for economic cooperation are boosting," Aliyev underscored.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Aliyev stressed
his satisfaction with Ukraine’s position on this issue.

In his turn Yuschenko said that he was satisfied with the talks held
in Baku. "We discussed co-operation in the political, economic,
humanitarian, defense sectors, as well as implementation of some
energy projects. The talks were easy, but there are still problems in
the bilateral relationships which should be resolved," he emphasized.

He regarded the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as one
of the fields of bilateral co-operation. "Ukraine is ready to offer
a means to settle the conflict," he stressed.