Baku-Sophia economic ties in focus
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijani envoy has hailed the developing relations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in the economic sphere.
Emil Karimov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Bulgaria in his interview to the country’s "Ikonomika" magazine emphasized the increasing mutual interest in energy, agriculture, tourism, transport, construction and a number of other industrial sectors, noting that establishment of relations between the two countries’ businessmen have been intensified.
He stressed the importance of export of Azerbaijan’s energy resources to Europe, recalling laying the foundation of Southern Gas Corridor by President Ilham Aliyev in presence of Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev in Baku, on September 20, 2014.
Karimov said Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR has been cooperated with many countries around the world, noting that in 2019, the Azerbaijani gas will be exported to Bulgaria as well.
He hailed the great potential for expansion of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, expressing the importance of agriculture sector.
Karimov highlighted Azerbaijan’s investments in many countries of the world as well as the country’s interest in investing in Bulgaria.
He also lauded the opportunities for investment in various fields in both countries and works carried out in this direction. Touching upon a number of business forums of the businessmen of two countries, he stressed the importance of organizing mutual visits. By the opening of a representative office of Bulgaria-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce Bulgaria will invest in Azerbaijan, he said.
Karimov further praised the Bulgarian companies’ active participation in the projects in construction, pharmaceutical and other industries, emphasizing the country’s investment in the plant which produces bicycles in Azerbaijan’s Ismayilli region.
He also spoke about the development in the tourism sector as well, praising the active participation of Bulgaria’s tourism companies in International Tourism Exhibition held in Azerbaijan in 2011. He briefed on the places of interest tourists visited the most, expressing the significance of further expanding cooperation in various fields of tourism including sea, mountain, ski, healing waters between the two countries.
Speaking on the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan, Karimov said in accordance with the provisions of this agreement, the citizens of Azerbaijan and member states could easily get a visa.
Touching upon the achievements of Azerbaijan in the past 10-15 years, Karimov also spoke about the serious consequences of the military aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan. He as well spoke about the threats that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict created to global projects, peace, stability and security.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova
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