Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday called on Greek businessmen to increase their investments in the South Caucasus republic’s fast-growing economy, as the two countries’ entrepreneurs gathered in Baku to discuss cooperation prospects.

President Aliyev told the joint business forum that Azerbaijan and Greece, whose economic interests overlap, have asserted themselves as reliable partners and will continue to effectively work to diversify their economic cooperation.

Greek President Karlos Papoulias said Azerbaijan has a key strategic location in the Caucasus region and plays an important role in "the new global geo-economic environment".

Papoulias said oil refining and renewable sources of energy are a priority for boosting bilateral cooperation. He added that Azerbaijan and Greece could also develop relations in the construction and information technologies sectors.

Up to 250 businesspeople working in the fields of agriculture and food industry, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, energy, ICT, finance and construction attended the business forum in Baku.

Following the forum, the Azerbaijani and Greek presidents observed the view of the Caspian Sea from the seaside park (boulevard).

President Papoulias was granted the title of honorary doctor at the Baku Slavic University. A relevant diploma was handed to the Greek president later on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan and Greece signed four agreements during Papoulias’ three-day visit to Baku which concluded on Wednesday, including a deal on direct gas supplies from the South Caucasus republic.