President Ilham Aliyev and Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich met in Istanbul.
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said:
- I hope we will carry out active and constructive work in future. Our countries enjoy fine history of relations. Our personal ties will play a significant role in future. For us Ukraine is the closest friend and partner. I believe that our cooperation will yield good results in the nearest future.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said:
-I am delighted to see you. I think that traditional relations between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, our personal friendly ties will create new opportunities, I would say, give impetus to our countries` relations. I have come here to see you once again and discuss our bilateral trade and economic relations. The fall in commodity circulation in 2009, surely, doesn`t correspond to our potential. Now our task is to, at least, restore the previous level of trade. It currently reaches approximately 1 billion USD. I believe we can resolutely increase our trade, at least two-fold, in the nearest future.
Esteemed Mr. President, I`m very happy that your country has very stable economy, and this was possible thanks to the stability that you have had over recent years. I praise the fact that your Gross Domestic Product saw over 9 percent-rise even in troublesome 2009 year. It is an outstanding achievement. In a short period, you have managed to increase the per capita GDP two-fold, and even more. I think, surely, the people of Azerbaijan feel it. I believe this contributes to solving of many tasks with regard to domestic policies, uniting the society and the people. It is a great thing and is something that Ukraine has lacked for recent years. We envy you in a good sense of this word. However, I think a new era opened for Ukraine, and it, of course, will have a positive impact on our trade and economic cooperation, and relations between our countries and peoples. I am happy to see you here today at this wonderfully-organized event. I hope I will get to see you again in the nearest future in Ukraine.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude:
-Thank you, Viktor Fyodorovich, for your nice words about our country. You are absolutely right. We achieved high results even during the 2009 financial crisis year. It is pleasant that we have reached it thanks to our existing foundations. Our economy has grown by 20 or 25 percent. Our economy is stable and even credit agencies have increased Azerbaijan`s credit rating this year. It shows that we have achieved the diversification of economy and a sustainable growth. You are quite right that the main aspect here is stability – both political and economic -, as well as the predictability of the situation and investment opportunities. Therefore, actually, we do want the bilateral economic relations to be restored. We are very hopeful for this.
Ukraine is our close friend and partner, strategic partner. We have lived together for long years in the past decades. We have supported each other as independent states. We enjoy personal friendship with you. This friendship has been ongoing for years. I am sure that the friendly Ukrainian people will make great achievements under your leadership. I believe that you will ensure development in both industry and economy as you did when you led the government. You have all the potential, in particular, a political will to achieve this.
I am happy to meet you again. I am positive that such meetings will take place more frequently in Ukraine and Azerbaijan, and upon this foundation, and due to mutual sympathy of our peoples, we will establish relations based on friendship, mutual interests, and factors beneficial to our nations. On my own behalf, I once more congratulate you on your election as the President of Ukraine and winning the confidence of the Ukrainian people. This is the main evidence of attitude to and confidence in you. I am sure that you will justify all hopes.
Viktor Yanukovich: Thank you!
