Official dinner reception was hosted in honor of Ilham Aliyev in Singapore

An official dinner reception has been hosted on behalf of President of Singapore Tony Tan in honor of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev who is paying a state visit to Singapore.

The heads of state made speeches at the reception.

Speech by President of Singapore Tony Tan

- President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Your Excellency Ilham Aliyev!

Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Your Excellency, I have the honor of welcoming you and your distinguished delegation to Singapore. Your visit is the first visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Singapore and reflects a historic stage in our bilateral relations. In the 18 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties between Singapore and Azerbaijan have significantly developed. The past few years have seen many important events. Emergencies Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov became the first Azerbaijani minister to visit Singapore in March 2010. And two weeks later, our then Foreign Minister George Yeo paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. During the visit, he was honored to attend, together with you, a groundbreaking ceremony for a new shipyard to be built in Baku by the Singaporean company Keppel. Today, we feel proud that you are paying a state visit to our country.

Our relations are based on common interests and mutual respect. As small countries surrounded by larger states, we appreciate the importance of international organizations and multilateral forums. It is therefore not surprising that our countries cooperate fruitfully in the Non-Aligned Movement and international events such as the Forum of Small States which marks its 20th anniversary this year. Your visit to Singapore will create a good foundation for closer ties between our countries. I sincerely believe that our relations in the political, economic and other areas have great potential.

The Azerbaijani economy is booming. Last year your country experienced 7.6-per cent growth. Today Azerbaijan has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Singaporean companies carefully consider opportunities outside the region and I believe that Azerbaijan will become more attractive for them for establishing business. This is already evident from our growing trade and investment ties. In 2000-2012, our trade has more than doubled to reach 200 million Singapore dollars. We had a number of memorable successes. For example, Keppel Offshore and Marine signed an agreement with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Investment Company on cooperation in the construction and management of a new shipyard covering an area of 52 hectares. Also, in 1997, Keppel and SOCAR jointly established the Caspian shipbuilding company, the first international shipbuilding company in the Caspian region for repair and modernization of oil and gas installations. Several Singaporean companies such as Surbana Corporation, Sembcorp and Franklin Offshore Group have also participated in various projects in Azerbaijan. I believe that such efforts are a positive sign of our mutually beneficial partnership. I do hope that Your Excellency will continue to support closer economic cooperation between our countries.

Azerbaijan is a country with a rich history and culture, colorful traditions and customs, and Singapore can learn a lot from your diversity and cultural heritage. As in Azerbaijan, we in Singapore also attach importance to cultural diversity, conduct various religious and ethnic holidays and festivals throughout the year. I look forward to the opportunities for cooperation between our countries in the field of culture and art. I am sure that your visit has awakened a great interest in the beauty of your country in Singaporeans, most of whom are fond of travel.

Your Excellency, I am sure that your visit to Singapore will contribute to the prosperity of the relations between Azerbaijan and Singapore.

Speech by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev

- Your Excellency, Mr. President!

Dear friends!

Mr. President, first of all I would like to thank you for the warm hospitality extended to me and members of my delegation and the invitation to visit your beautiful country. Since yesterday, I have been deeply impressed with the development and progress your country has achieved in the years of independence. Today Singapore is one of the leading countries in terms of development, social protection, investment opportunities and openness to the international community.

Our peoples and countries have a lot in common. Azerbaijan is also a developing independent country. For us, the transition period in the years of independence means a strong state and, at the same time, a market economy and good investment opportunities. The example of your country is very attractive for the states that have gained independence. Therefore, cooperation between our countries is developing rapidly and successfully. Another similarity, as you noted, is the multiculturalism of our countries. This is one of the greatest positive qualities acquired by our countries. The tradition of peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups does create a special atmosphere in the region. Like Singapore, Azerbaijan also appreciates the principles of multiculturalism. This is why our societies create opportunities for all people to express their will, to live in peace and tranquility.

Of course, the relations between our countries are developing very well. I would say that our political relations are very strong. My first state visit to your country is a manifestation of our political relations. We work actively and cooperate in many areas, in various international organizations. I am grateful to your country for supporting Azerbaijan in our election as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council in October last year and for voting in favor of a resolution on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the principles of territorial integrity at the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. We thank you for these manifestations of political support. We, for our part, will continue to support Singapore in all international organizations.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict poses the biggest threat to regional security and stability. Unfortunately, our independence was accompanied by this conflict which has resulted in the occupation of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized territory by Armenia, ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis, ousting from their native towns and villages of one million of our compatriots who have become refugees and IDPs in their own homeland. The international community has expressed its approach to resolving the conflict. This conflict must be resolved on the basis of the principles of territorial integrity and international law. The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions demanding an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories. Unfortunately, these resolutions are not fulfilled. Therefore, the unreserved support of Singapore during the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement has been a sign of support for justice and international law. I think that we will continue to cooperate extensively and strengthen our political ties in the future.

Mr. President, I take this opportunity again I invite you to pay a state visit to Azerbaijan at your convenience in order to continue our dialogue. Today we also discussed the prospects for economic cooperation. In your remarks you mentioned some positive examples of this cooperation. We do have good examples. The cooperation between SOCAR and Keppel already has a long history and tradition. And now this cooperation is developing into new areas. The construction of a shipyard in Azerbaijan will enable us to create a powerful Caspian flotilla which will benefit all countries of the region. We are located on the ancient Silk Road. The construction of a railway line between Azerbaijan and Europe and its connection via the Caspian Sea to the Asian region, the acquisition of additional vessels for cargo transportation – all this will form our contribution to the development of the region. I think that the revival of the historic Silk Road is very important for all the countries located in this region.

We also consider exploring other opportunities to expand economic ties and develop mutually beneficial business contacts in this area. I believe that the business circles of our countries should get together and discuss issues in different directions. Azerbaijan is developing. As you, Mr. President, have noted, our GDP growth is very fast, it has been 300 per cent in the past nine years. There are opportunities to invite many more Singaporean companies to work in Azerbaijan both as investors and contractors. We, in turn, examine new opportunities associated with our investment plans. Your country is one of the most favorable countries for that because you have managed to create a very strong economy in the years of independence. As I noted, you have a diverse culture, political stability. Therefore, Singapore has great significance for the world today. Your transformation and success, as I noted earlier, are a good example for many countries in need of transformation and the use of this potential for their people and neighbors.

We also have ambitious plans related to humanitarian cooperation, cooperation in the field of cultural exchange and education. I am glad that young Azerbaijanis study at your universities and hope that many people from Azerbaijan will be coming to your country to receive education and become good specialists in various fields.

Mr. President, I want to thank you again for the warm hospitality and for the invitation. I would like to reiterate that I have been deeply impressed by what I saw last night and today. I want to congratulate you and your people on this great success. I wish you and the people of Singapore all the best and new achievements.