French, Azerbaijani presidents happy with current level of bilateral relations
BAKU. March 15 (Interfax) - French President Francois Hollande and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev have expressed satisfaction with the current level of bilateral economic and political relations.
"First of all, I should say that Azerbaijan and France have built a good relationship in many areas, including politics. We are aware of Azerbaijan's role in the negotiations with all partners inside and outside the region," Hollande said in a press statement in Paris, having signed joint documents with Aliyev.
French companies have been active in Azerbaijan, Hollande said. "We are encouraging our companies to invest in this country and to provide its population with everything it needs by means of contracts. I am very glad that Mr. Aliyev has had fruitful discussions with members of MEDEF [The Movement of the Enterprises of France]," he said.
Hollande also said he had discussed possible environmental cooperation with the Azerbaijani president.
"Seeking to implement the Paris [Climate] Agreement, we should provide exchange between experts and solve a number of environmental problems using infrastructure, renewable energy and every way useful for the environment. We also want the two countries to establish strong ties in the field of governmental services, which will promote innovations in every sphere. Azerbaijan and France maintain a concept, according to which digital technologies should serve economic growth," he said.
The French president welcomed expanding relations in education.
"Once again, I would like to welcome the beginning of negotiations between Azerbaijan and the European Union [on a strategic partnership agreement]. We want the declared goals to be achieved. Europe has begun negotiations within the Eastern Partnership framework, and France has been supportive of it from the very start," Hollande said.
Aliyev pointed to the vast bilateral agenda. "I saw an enormous mutual interest when I visited MEDEF yesterday [on Monday]. Our economic contacts have been developing. French companies have invested more than $2 billion in the Azerbaijani economy and are engaged in many important projects in Azerbaijan. French companies are supporting the development of the Azerbaijani space industry. At the same time, we are implementing projects in the areas of city transport, infrastructure, water, drinking water, environment, etc. We are happy with this cooperation," Aliyev said.
He said cooperation had also been successful in humanitarian affairs and other spheres.
The president noted the importance of relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan. "Negotiations on a new partnership agreement with the European Union began last month. EU countries are our principal trade partners. The lion's share of our products are exported to Europe, besides, the European Union is the largest investor in Azerbaijan. We are implementing various projects, and I would like to single out the Southern Gas Corridor. This is a strategic gas pipeline initiated by Azerbaijan, which will make a contribution to European energy security," the Azerbaijani president said.