An Azerbaijani-Iranian business forum has been held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.

President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani attended the business forum.

The heads of states addressed the event.

Speech by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Mr. President!

Distinguished guests!

Mr. President, I cordially welcome you in Azerbaijan again. Welcome to our country! I also salute all our friends who have come together with you from Iran and are here with us today.

Your official visit to Azerbaijan started yesterday. We conducted a very broad exchange of views yesterday. We discussed many issues. I am absolutely convinced that after this visit the dynamic development of Iranian-Azerbaijani relations will be continued.

This is our fourth meeting with you this year. I want businessmen also to know that this is an indicator in itself. It is evidence of the fact that our contacts are very important and valuable. We are discussing all issues and there is a mutual understanding between us. Such a broad nature of relationships is a very positive fact because we are friendly and brotherly countries and our peoples have been in close contact for centuries. We have always been together and supported each other. Today, as two sovereign and independent states, we are building our relationship on a solid historical basis.

The recent communications and their sincerity are truly inspiring us. I am confident that in the coming years these relationships will strengthen even more and that all the issues discussed and projects planned will be implemented.
My official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran in April of this year was very successful. I am sure that this visit will produce very valuable results.

Yesterday we had a broad and sincere discussion of the political, economic and cultural cooperation, as well as all other issues. The people gathered here today are businessmen. They have large financial and business opportunities. We would like our economic cooperation to reach the level of political interaction. There are good opportunities to do this. The intergovernmental commission is quite active. Both co-chairs of the commission have a very responsible approach to this matter, and we are already seeing great results. The numerous documents signed yesterday and in April this year will open even more ample opportunities in the economic sphere in the future.

We want our entrepreneurs to be in even closer contact. There are hundreds of Iranian companies working in various spheres in Azerbaijan. They are enjoying excellent conditions in Azerbaijan. I think that they are satisfied with their work. In general, Azerbaijan has created a very positive investment environment. Foreign investments are made in Azerbaijan. In terms of direct foreign investments, Azerbaijan is a leader among FSU republics. Last year alone, the country's economy received $28 billion in investment, including 30 percent of foreign investment.

This in itself indicates that foreign investors believe in the future of Azerbaijan. The current investment and business environment in Azerbaijan suits them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t invest so much money in Azerbaijan. In the coming years investments in the amount of $20-25 billion annually are expected to continue. We want Iranian companies to invest even more in Azerbaijan and, at the same time, the private and public Azerbaijani companies to invest in Iran. We discussed these issues with Mr. President yesterday. There are great opportunities in infrastructure, industrial projects and other service sectors.

The economies of both Iran and Azerbaijan are developing dynamically. We are self-sufficient countries. Our countries do not depend on foreign loans. Of course, economic independence brings huge benefits to our countries, including political, because without the economic independence countries can’t pursue a fully independent policy. Iran and Azerbaijan are countries conducting an independent policy in the international arena. I think that in this respect we differ substantially from certain countries.

Therefore, mutual investments, of course, are possible on the background of great political ties. And this is available.

Today, I can say that our political ties are at the highest level, and businesses entities need to take advantage of use these wonderful opportunities. At the same time, Iranian companies are involved in various projects in Azerbaijan. Their activities in the implementation of infrastructure projects are very positive and successful. If we consider that major infrastructure projects will be implemented in Azerbaijan in the future, Iranian companies should use these opportunities, of course.

Both public and private sectors will make major investments in Azerbaijan in the coming years too. Therefore, today's business forum will also demonstrate the future plans of Azerbaijan, so that Iranian companies know what will be done and in which areas. We do all our work on the basis of five-year programs. The third government program is now under way. The first program was adopted in 2004. These programs clearly state what should be done in each city and village, and what state agency will do the job. This program is also available in the media. So any company can easily obtain information about what work will be done in Azerbaijan. I believe that the discussions in this format will facilitate the signing of new contracts.

Another advantage we have is that we are neighbors and there are no transit countries between us. Both geographically and in all other respects, there is no-one and can’t be anyone between us. Yesterday we confirmed once again that our bilateral relations have a long history. Our peoples have always been together. Today, our two sovereign states are building their own future, and no third force can drive a wedge into our relationship. We will not allow that to happen despite the fact that such attempts are being made. You may also be seeing that. However, the strong will on both sides will never allow anyone to interfere in our relationship, make provocations and thus reach their intentions. This is suppressed by the strong political will of both countries, as well as the support for this policy on the part of Iranian and Azerbaijani societies. Without this, of course, our agenda may be left unfinished.

As for the economic development of Azerbaijan, it has been very rapid in recent years. Over the past 10 years, our economy has grown by more than three times. Our financial situation is stable. Our foreign debt accounts for only 8 percent of the gross domestic product. Over the past 10 years, our budget expenditures have increased 20 times. Poverty has declined from 49 to 5 percent. Very positive steps associated with unemployment have been taken. Now unemployment is less than 5 percent.

This economic and financial stability certainly allows us the opportunity to develop rapidly. At the same time, Azerbaijan is pursuing an independent policy in international issues. The international community supports Azerbaijan. Otherwise, we would not have been elected a member of the UN Security Council with the support of 155 countries. For a young state it is a great achievement that 155 countries have believed in us, lent us their support and we justified their confidence over the two years.

The economic independence enables us to defend our positions in international issues, in the form of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Our position is fair and based on international law and justice. These two concepts are of particular importance for international relations. Where international law and justice are violated, of course, there will be clashes, wars and tensions. If international law and justice are not violated in the world, there will be no wars.
The successful and sustainable development of our countries is significant also because processes that disturb us and the whole world are taking place right next to us. The region is ablaze, both in the Middle East and on the European continent there are clashes and bloody wars. Therefore, in order to develop successfully and confidently in such a geopolitical situation, we must first of all ensure unity of the people and the government, have a strong political will and, of course, be economically self-sufficient.

Our cooperation with foreign partners is also very positive. Iran and Azerbaijan are countries rich in oil and gas. Our interests here coincide as well. Mr. President and I discussed these issues yesterday in order to improve our coordination in this area to an even higher level. Our interests as producers of oil and gas, of course, are the same. We want to export our products to markets. Of course, we also want the prices to be reasonable and fair. There are also good opportunities for a bilateral and perhaps multilateral cooperation in the future.

In short, I want to say that we very much appreciate the visit of President Rouhani to Azerbaijan. We were looking forward to Mr. President’s visit. I am glad that the talks held yesterday were very successful. I am confident that Iran and Azerbaijan as a friendly and brotherly countries will stand by each other in all areas in the coming years. Of course, the activities of the business community will provide additional support for our efforts.

Dear Mr. President, once again, welcome to Azerbaijan!

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The business forum then continued with bilateral meetings between Azerbaijani and Iranian businessmen.