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cording to the President of Azerbaijan, reforms must be conducted not only in the
sphere of economy, but also in politics.
We are also ready to render our assistance to Azerbaijan in transparent manage-
ment of oil and gas revenues and in sustainable economic development. The EU
had assisted Azerbaijan with more than 400 million euros when it was surviving
hard periods. But now, Azerbaijan is one of the fastest developing countries in the
world. Today I am very pleased to say that Azerbaijan and the President of Azer-
baijan want to develop relations with the EU based on mutual interest and common
values.
Mr. President, Thank You for your visit to Brussels.
Statement by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
Thank You, Mr. President!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today, I am very pleased to be here, in Brussels and hold discussions with Mr.
Barroso on our bilateral relations and issues with regard to the regional develop-
ment.
Our relations have a long history. We have always felt a support of the EU since
Azerbaijan gained its independence again. Especially in hard times of Azerbaijan,
we have received both strong financial and political support from the EU. Relations
of Azerbaijan with the EU developed successfully in the 15 years of its indepen-
dence. Today, we are stepping towards a new phase of relationship. We start a long-
term partnership in the framework of the new neighbourhood policy of the EU in
the South Caucasus and strategic partnership on energy issues. Both issues are of
great importance for Azerbaijan, and I am confident that we will achieve a substan-
tial progress in this cooperation in the coming years.
Political and economic reforms are conducted in Azerbaijan, and we build a
democratic society. The principles of the rule of law and protection of human rights
are taken as a basis. These issues cannot be dealt with separately. In a word, these
issues are of great importance for Azerbaijan and for regional cooperation in gen-
eral. Taking huge oil reserves into account, we can understand how these issues are
important for us. We look at these issues from different angles. That is why coop-
eration with the EU gives us opportunity not only to improve our economic record,
but also to make our values closer to the European ones in the coming years.
We share common values. The path, which we follow in Azerbaijan, is under-
stood clearly and these issues are priorities for us. We discussed those issues in the
meetings, and I am confident that cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan will
develop and expand in the coming years. We will bring new elements of mutual
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interest and benefit to this cooperation.
Azerbaijan becomes a very important producer of oil and gas. There is a very
modern system of management of oil and gas revenues in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
has joined the initiative of transparent management of incomes in the production
industry, and this could be an example for other countries. It has been declared by
the international financial institutions.
In a word, economic indication of our country and political development create
these opportunities and cooperation with the EU is conducted in that framework.
The issues of political cooperation, political and economic reforms are considered
by us. Our cooperation with the Union is conducted in this direction. I am very
grateful for a nice reception and very pleased with our discussions. I would like
to say that we are very interested in our future cooperation. Thank you very much.
Afterwards, questions of media representatives were answered:
Dmitry Shkurko (Ukrinform): My question is to President Ilham Aliyev. How
much is Azerbaijan interested in use of Odessa-Brody-Gdansk oil pipeline in the
framework of the energy dialogue with the EU and when is the transport of Azer-
baijani oil via this pipeline expected?
Ilham Aliyev: We have discussed this issue several times in our meetings with
the Ukrainian President and we have established joint Azerbaijani-Ukrainian work-
ing group connected with this issue. Now, mechanisms of commercial side, other
economic factors and exploration ways of that pipeline are being assessed. Dur-
ing our meetings, we discussed not only Azerbaijan’s filling the pipeline with oil,
but also its participation in refining and distribution of oil where it is transported.
I know that the EU is interested in this project and we discussed this. It is a good
framework for tackling this issue. In the future, oil production in our region will in-
crease and will be enough for use of other oil pipelines. Alternate routes are of great
importance for us too. Today, there are three oil pipelines to transport Azerbaijani
oil to Europe and to the world market, and one more pipeline would be useful.
“The Observer” (Great Britain): In reports on human rights Azerbaijan’s name
is in line with Belarus. You will receive President of Kazakhstan here in December.
What could you say to critics who say the EU builds good relations with countries
due to energy resources?
Jose Manuel Barroso: First of all, let`s say that evolution observed in Azerbai-
jan is in positive direction. Let`s not forget that Azerbaijan recently gained its inde-
pendence and began to build a democratic country. At present, efforts are underway
to implement political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan. A job which we are
doing today is connected with development of democracy and rule of law in Azer-
baijan. Today, I raised this issue in our meeting with Mr. President and he said his
ideas and analyses of the situation. We establish positive contacts with Azerbaijan