BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 11. Azerbaijani gas has
already reached the market of North Macedonia, which happened at
the end of last year, and this year, Azerbaijan will regularly
supply your market with natural gas. In the future, we can increase
gas supplies to the required volume, said President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev during a joint press conference with President of North
Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Trend reports.
Statement by President Ilham Aliyev
– Dear Madam President,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Madam President, I would like to once again sincerely welcome
you to Azerbaijan. This is your second visit to Azerbaijan. I am
very pleased that you were an active participant in the COP29
conference and contributed to the success of the conference.
During our meeting in November, I invited you to pay an official
visit to Azerbaijan, and I am delighted that you have accepted my
invitation and are paying an official visit today. We are working
extensively to develop our bilateral relations. I am glad that the
political dialogue between our countries is assuming a dynamic
nature. Our second meeting with Madam President in a short period
of time is clear evidence of that. Additional measures should be
taken to develop our political relations. Relevant state
institutions should be in close contact, of course. At the same
time, opportunities in the economic sphere and in the field of
investment should be explored. Unfortunately, so far, we have not
yet achieved great results in the trade and economic sphere.
However, I do hope that we will also fill this gap after your
official visit and through contacts between our delegations.
A positive sign in recent months has been the fact that the two
countries have started cooperating in the energy sector.
Azerbaijani gas has already reached the market of North Macedonia,
which happened at the end of last year, and this year, Azerbaijan
will regularly supply your market with natural gas. In the future,
we can increase gas supplies to the required volume. We are working
hard on commissioning new gas fields today. I should note that
Azerbaijan currently exports natural gas to 12 countries, and
geographically, our customers are located in Eurasia. Ten out of
these 12 countries are European nations. Last year, Azerbaijan
exported 25 billion cubic meters of gas to foreign markets. Of
course, we produce more than this. We also meet local demand.
However, expanding the scope and geographical reach of our gas
exports is also on the agenda. Europe needs Azerbaijani gas. The
Declaration on Strategic Partnership in the field of energy between
the European Union and Azerbaijan, signed in Baku about three years
ago, is a clear manifestation of this. Today, Azerbaijani gas
contributes to the energy security of many European countries, and
we have always attached great importance to the requests of our
European partners. In other words, bilateral cooperation in the
energy sector is very important to us, and I do hope that this
practical cooperation will pave the way for collaboration in other
areas as well.
I remember you also getting acquainted with Azerbaijan’s
cultural life during your last visit, and I am aware that there are
similar events on your program tomorrow. We welcome and applaud
this. There is also a great need for cooperation between our
peoples in the humanitarian sphere. I am glad that you will also
participate in the 12th Global Baku Forum. The Forum, organized by
the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, has been able to secure
itself a prominent place on a global scale. Of course, your
valuable ideas and recommendations will be of interest to everyone.
You will also have the opportunity to meet with our students.
Therefore, I express my gratitude to you.
You have extensive experience as a politician and statesperson.
You have held high positions in international organizations and, at
the same time, have been awarded the highest position in your
country after going through different stages. Therefore, your
valuable ideas may be of great interest to all of us.
Madam President, I would like to sincerely welcome you again. I
am sure that your visit will be successful.