Azerbaijan, France sign viticulture agreement
By Nazrin Gadimova
Azerbaijan and France signed a MOU in the field of viticulture in Ganja on November 2.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the framework of the 2nd International Wine Festival, held in Ganja on November 1-2.
The document is aimed at strengthening the economic relations between the businessmen of the two countries.
In addition to the agreement on growing the seedlings of French grape varieties in the village of Mikhailovka in the Goygol district, the production of French bread in Goygol was also agreed at the event.
The event was attended by Ganja Chief Executive Elmar Valiyev, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Niyazi Safarov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ilham Guliyev, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbayov, ambassadors of Romania and Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Daniel Chobanu and Sherzod Fayziyev, and guests who represented France.
In addition to the communication between the twin cities of Ganja and Strasbourg, the organization of exhibitions dedicated to genius Azerbaijani poets Nizami Ganjavi and Mahsati Ganjavi, held in November-December of 2013, was also discussed at the event.
Azerbaijan has all the natural conditions -mountainous terrain and closeness to the Caspian Sea- for the development of winemaking.
Wine is produced in Ganja, Nagorno-Karabakh, Shirvan, and Nakhchivan, which are considered centers of wine production in Azerbaijan.
Vineyards in these regions account for about 7 percent of the country's cultivated land.
Currently, there are nearly 10 wineries and vineyards producing wine in the country. The largest one is Vinagro, established in 2006.
Exports to other countries are steadily growing due to the good quality of Azerbaijan's wine products.
Most of Azerbaijan's production is currently being targeted for Russian and European markets.
Since Azerbaijan's independence in 1991, Azerbaijan's wine has won 27 prizes at international competitions.
Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and France were established in 1992. The trade turnover between the two countries reached about $2 two billion in 2012.
The legal framework for bilateral cooperation includes 42 documents, and about 40 French companies operate in Azerbaijan.