Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani and Japanese officials expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations between the two countries as Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister met a delegation led by Minoru Kiuchi, Japanese deputy Foreign Minister on January 19.

Mammadyarov hailed political, economic and energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan, and stressed the importance of the activity of intergovernmental commission on cooperation and reciprocal visits in terms of the development of bilateral ties, the Ministry said.

Kiuchi noted that Azerbaijan’s contributions to the regional peace and stability, energy security and fight against radicalism are highly appreciated by Japan.

The sides also discussed continuation of successful bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, non-energy cooperation, particularly in the fields of industry, agriculture, high-technologies, science and education and humanitarian fields.

Highlighting the negotiation process towards the peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Mammadyarov added that the UN Security Council resolutions with regards to the conflict call for immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of occupying forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and return of Azerbaijani refuges and internally displaced persons to their homes.

Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor that caused a brutal war in the early 1990s.

Furthermore, adding that Armenia defies the calls of the UN Security Council resolutions, he underlined that the international law reaffirmed the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of states.

They also exchanged views on cooperation within international organizations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The prospects of the development of Azerbaijani-Japanese relations were also discussed during a meeting of Ogtay Asadov, Speaker of Azerbaijan`s Parliament and Japanese delegation.

Asadov praised the Japanese delegation`s visit to Azerbaijan, adding the reciprocal visits contributed to the development of relations between the countries.

He also highlighted the activities of friendship groups in both countries` parliaments.

Asadov said Azerbaijan attached great importance to strengthening ties with Japan, and noted that relations between the two countries were developing dynamically.

Hailing the expansion of economic ties between Azerbaijan and Japan, Asadov noted that the legal framework between the countries was also strengthening.

Kiuchi, for his turn, praised Azerbaijan`s leader position in the Southern Caucasus, as well as the country`s role in Europe and international organizations.

He said Japan attached special importance to relationship with Azerbaijan in the fields of economy, healthcare, education and culture. He said his visit was aimed to further strengthen the bilateral relations.

Earlier, President Ilham Aliyev received the Japanese delegation. Discussing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Japan, the sides expressed satisfaction with the development of the bilateral relations.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Japan were established in 1992. Relations between the two countries continue developing. Japan was one of the first countries to support Azerbaijan's forward-looking oil strategy.

Today two major Japanese companies Itochu and Impex are involved in the Contract of the Century. Leaders of Japanese business, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Marubeni, and Sojits are involved in the energy and infrastructure projects in the country.

Azerbaijan considers cooperation with Japan in the field of high technology, particularly in the field of manufacture of innovative production, with their further entering the regional markets.

Until now, Japanese companies were involved mainly in projects in the energy sector, but in recent years their interest to cooperate in areas such as petrochemicals, oil refining, energy, medicine, high-tech and space industry has increased.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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