Azerbaijan, Japan discuss economic and trade relations

Baku, November 23 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan and Japan have discussed prospects for boosting economic and trade relations. Baku hosted a meeting of an Azerbaijan-Japan intergovernmental economic cooperation commission and 7th session of a Joint Economic Committee. Head of Azerbaijan`s delegation, deputy prime minister, Abid Sharifov, said Azerbaijan and Japan enjoyed strong friendly relations. Sharifov said Japan was one of the first countries which recognized Azerbaijan`s independence and built relations with it. He highlighted Azerbaijan`s internal and foreign policy priorities, saying the country enjoyed strong international image. “Azerbaijan`s election to the UN Security Council is a vivid evidence of this.” Sharifov thanked Japan for supporting Azerbaijan`s UN Security Council membership bid. The deputy Prime Minister said Japanese companies invested hundreds of millions of US dollars in Azerbaijan`s economy. He recalled national leader Heydar Aliyev`s visit to Japan in 1998, noting “this visit marked a turning point in the history of our countries` relations”. “And President Ilham Aliyev`s visit to Tokyo in 2006 contributed to further strengthening the relations between Azerbaijan and Japan, gave a strong impetus to development of our cooperation.” Sharifov highlighted Azerbaijan`s economic achievements, saying the country`s Gross Domestic Product grew 8.2 per cent this year. He also noted the Azerbaijani government placed a particular emphasis on cooperation with Japan in all areas, in particular in energy sector. Japanese co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Japan Intergovernmental Commission, vice-president of Itochi, Yoichi Kobayashi, hailed Japanese companies` activity in Azerbaijan`s oil and gas industry, and infrastructure sector.