Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the official dinner reception in honor of Czech President Václav Klaus and his spouse Livia Klausova

- Dear Mister President:

Dear Madam Livia Klausová:

Distinguished guests:

Ladies and gentlemen:

I greet you and the delegation led by you wholeheartedly. Welcome to Azerbaijan.

Mister President, your first visit to our country is a remarkable event in Azerbaijani-Czech relations. I do believe that this visit of yours will play an important role in further development of our co-operation in various fields. The meetings we had, talks we conducted and views we exchanged as well as the document signed by us and today’s business forum will give an impetus to elevate our ties on a higher level.

I consider it important to increase mutual efforts to develop our bilateral and multilateral relations and bring it into a qualitatively new level.

Today, there are favorable conditions and opportunities for the development of co-operation in different fields between our countries. The participation of Czech banks as creditors in large construction works going on in Azerbaijan is the positive case. At the same time, Azerbaijani oil takes an important place in energy market of the Czech Republic. In this respect, there is a need to conduct direct transactions between economic institutions of both countries to intensify further our ties.

Our countries co-operate closely within international and regional organizations. The relations with the European Union and Euro-Atlantic structures take a significant place in foreign policy of Azerbaijan. Our co-operation in UN, OSCE, the European Union and the Council of Europe is very satisfactory.

Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in energy field and ready to bring further its contribution in ensuring energy security of Europe. We are interested in bringing our energy resources to world markets in all directions and work on different projects.

Energy co-operation is one of main directions of our relations with the European Union. The Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of energy signed in 2006 and the Joint Declaration on South Gas Corridor signed this January are clear examples of this co-operation.

Concrete projects implemented in Azerbaijan in recent years ensure the dynamic development of our country and impact on positively the co-operation processes in the region.

As a result of the work done so far, Azerbaijan develops swiftly. Even during the difficult years of world financial crisis, economic development of our country continued. Due to this development, during last 7 years, GDP has almost tripled. In the years of 2009-2010, our economy grew by 14%. Foreign currency reserves reached approximately USD35 billion. The number of people living in poverty level has dropped by 5 times. Investments in the amount of USD82 billion are attracted to our country. Over 900 thousand jobs were created.

However, I have to point out with regret that the most painful problem of Azerbaijan is still pending resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

As a result of the military aggression of Armenia, 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory – Nagorno Karabakh and seven surrounding regions – remain still under occupation. Ethnic cleansing policy was conducted in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia and over one million of people became refugees and IDPs.

There are 4 resolutions of UN Security Council related to the conflict as well as relevant decisions and resolutions of OSCE, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, NATO and other international organizations. This conflict should be solved only in accordance with international law norms in the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan on the basis of talks.

Dear Mister President, I welcome you cordially once again and wish you good health, everlasting development and progress to your country and people.

I raise this glass to you and your spouse and to the development of relations of sincere friendship and beneficial co-operation between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan.