Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 21
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
Japanese companies are actively involved in the development of oil fields and pipeline construction in Azerbaijan, rich in natural resources.
These companies are also interested in investing in the non-oil sector of the country.
This will lead to the further development of economic relations between the two countries, Japanese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Tsuguo Takahashi said at a meeting with Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov on Feb. 20, the State Committee reported.
Hasanov stressed the high level of relations between Azerbaijan and Japan.
Hasanov recalled that as a result of Armenia's military aggression, some 20 percent of Azerbaijani land was occupied and more than one million of our compatriots became refugees and IDPs.
"The occupied territories are used for transportation of drug and cultivation of narcotic plants, as well as an uncontrolled area for transnational criminality," Hasanov added.
The deputy prime minister stressed that Azerbaijan's just position is mainly supported in the international arena and the country's image is being improved due to the purposeful policy pursued by President Aliyev.
While speaking of international humanitarian aid, loans for improving the social conditions of refugees and IDPs in the first years after independence and the importance of Japan's technical cooperation and grant projects, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that today the Azerbaijani economy is being developed.
"Some 82 modern settlements were built for refugees and IDPs and living conditions for 180,000 people were improved due to the president's attention and care," Hasanov added.
"Humanitarian programmes are being implemented for internally displaced people," he said.
Ambassador Tahakashi said that despite Azerbaijan's difficult period in 1991 after gaining independence, the country's rapid economic development was achieved as a result of energy efficiency.
The ambassador also said that Azerbaijan has been enhanced not only in the economic, but also in the political sphere, becoming a member of the UN Security Council.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM